Autumn Layers - Fine Oriental Rugs & Carpets
Lot 3. A Fine Uzbekistan Carpet, approx: 11ft.3in. x 9ft.8in. Estimate: £1,800-£2,500.
With the cold weather setting in, we take a look at a selection of Fine Oriental Rugs & Carpets offered in the forthcoming sale that will warm you underfoot this autumn.
With the ability to transform an interior space, rugs have inhabited domestic dwellings for hundreds of years. The origin of carpets continues to be shrouded in mystery, however we do know that woven forms of floor coverings were present during the Neolithic Age (7000 BC.)
It was primarily through Italian merchants that Oriental rugs and carpets became recognised and valued in Europe, with Venice acting as a major trading hub. By the early 16th century, carpets inhabited the magnificent courts of Europe such as those of Catherine de’ Medici and Charles V. It is said that Cardinal Wolsey, Lord Chancellor of England, purchased sixty Turkish carpets from a Venetian dealer to furnish Hampton Court Palace.
It is only during the past century that oriental rugs have become recognised as works of art, as a small piece of rich and colourful history. With this in mind, it is always important to choose a rug that you love, as like an artwork, it is an investment piece that will last for many years. A rug is the foundation of a room, so when buying at auction it is worth considering what size and colours will work for your home.
Lot 28. An unusual fine Qum Carpet, Central Persia, approx: 11ft.8in. x 8ft.2in. Estimate: £2,500-£3,500.
With the power to infuse a room with warmth, colour and texture, the materials used are fundamental to the rug's quality. It is advisable that the proportions of a rug correspond to that of the room in which it is to be housed and if the room is already furnished, choose a rug with a complementary colour.
Colours, patterns and designs fluctuate in popularity. Popular pieces at auction include fine silk carpets and those with large loose designs such as Ziegler’s, Mahals and Arts and Crafts designs by Voysey. The retail value of a carpet is usually far higher than one would pay at auction, so it can be a brilliant place for emerging collectors. This may be due to the carpet having been restored or cleaned, which is a factor worth considering if buying at auction.
Fine Oriental Rugs & Carpets – 24 October