Antique Karachov Rug, South-Western Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM2134

This is an exceptional rug from the region of Karachov in the south-western Caucasus, dated 1275 which translates to 1854 - as early a Karachov as can be found these days.
The overall talismanic design is typically Karachov with its large octagonal, central lozenge, in this case on a red ground, and two, square symbols at each end, all containing nine '8-pointed stars'. Within the central, octagonal lozenge, are various small symbols on an ivory background, which is not something readily seen in later 19th century Karachovs. Note also, the 'zigzag' lines on either side of the red ground, one longer than the other and below each line, are 'fives' or 'quincunx' - symbols of protection.
Lastly but hugely important, is the rare and early main border on an ivory background, which I see as double-headed sunbirds, symbolic guardians of the gates of Paradise.
This is a highly important and very collectible rug which is smaller in size to the later 19th century Karachovs, and in very good overall condition.
Size: 1.86m x 1.40m (6' 1" x 4' 7").
£7,500

Antique Prayer-Rug, Daghestan, Eastern Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM2139

This beautiful prayer-rug was made in the Daghestan region of the eastern Caucasus in 1318 in the Islamic calendar which is 1900 in our Solar calendar. It comprises an ivory-ground mihrab within a beautiful madder-red field and depicting various symbols throughout. On either side of the mihrab are two small ivory squares with the date knotted in. The powerful golden-yellow main border contains a stylised continuous vine border symbolising the eternal cycle of life. The outer green border depicts the 'birds-heads' - guardians of the gates of Paradise.
A fabulous rug in near-mint condition.
Size: 1.64m x 1.25m (5' 5" x 4' 2").
£5,500

Antique Corridor Carpet, Bakhtiari Tribes, The Chahar ...

Item Ref
BM/JS5

This carpet is just amazing!
Made especially for a wide corridor by Bakhtiari tribes in the Chahar Mahal region of western Persia, the carpet comprises an ivory ground with a myriad of small scarabs throughout. The main border is in stunning, natural, petrol-blue, also depicting a scarab symbol and surrounded on both sides by beautiful golden-yellow minor borders.
Made circa 1880, this amazing carpet retains its original brocaded ends and is in excellent pile overall with no restoration whatsoever.
Size: 4.06m x 1.82m (13' 4" x 6' 0").
£5,500

Antique Khamseh Confederacy Carpet, Baharlu Tribe, Fars ...

Item Ref
BM2117

Made circa 1870 by the Baharlu taifeh of the Khamseh Confederacy in Fars, south-west Persia, this extremely fine and rare carpet is in very good overall condition albeit with evenly-low pile. The three central flower-heads are surrounded by the 'herati' pattern throughout, symbolising two fish swimming around water-lilies.
The natural colours are vibrant as is the main border design depicting a continouos vine symbolising the eternal cycle of life. The carpet needs to be seen to fully appreciate the fineness of design and quality of the colours.
Size: 3.20m x 1.93m (10' 6" x 6' 4").
£4,800

Antique Timuri Main Carpet, Yaqoub Khani Sub-Tribe, ...

Item Ref
BM/SJTimuri

This fabulous Timuri Yaqoub Khani carpet is in remarkable condition - full pile throughout with complete, original kilim and brocade skirts each end and no restoration whatsoever. Made circa 1870-1880, this carpet has been in a private collection to date and treasured.
The stunning indigo-blue ground contains a wealth of Timuri symbolism with highlights of magenta silk throughout. I would say this carpet was undoubtedly made for someone of importance and thus survived the hardships of nomadic life on the Persian/Afghan borderlands. Note at the very base of the field design, six stylised quadrupeds. Charming!
This is a rare carpet from the 19th century Timuri and very collectable in today's marketplace.
Size: 2.74m x 1.52m (9' 0" x 5' 0").
£4,750

Antique Khamseh Confederacy Carpet, Fars Proivince, South-West ...

Item Ref
BM/SJ1

This beautiful carpet was made by one of the five tribes that form the Khamseh Confederation in Fars Province, south-west Persia during the lat quarter of the nineteenth century. The overall field design contains large botehs with smaller botehs internally and referred to as the 'mother & child' boteh, symbolising fertility and birth. All the colours are natural providing a stunning palette. The main border consists of a continuaous vine with small flowers and botehs, symbolising the eternal cycle of life.
A truly fabulous carpet.
Size: 3.05m x 2.13m (10' 0" x 7' 0").
£4,500

Antique Talysh Long Rug, Talysh, South-Eastern Caucasus. ...

Item Ref
BM2118

Talysh was once part of the Safavid province of Azerbaijan and is close to Lenkoran, about 40 miles north of the Iranian border. For centuries, Talysh was inhabited by Armenians and a cathedral was built there in AD 662 by Grigor Mamikonian. Talysh rugs should therefore be attributed to Armenian weavers.
The majority of Talysh rugs have a long, narrow format with a blue central field. This one is more unusual having a natural-dye pink-red ground containing a multitude of tiny stars throughout. The main ivory border is typical of the Talyish weavings and very few Talysh rugs incorporate the 'medachyl' blue outer border with a decorated ground. A rare aspect of this beautiful rug.
The rug is in excellent condition with an evenly-low cut pile.
Size: 2.30m x 1.04m (7' 6" x 3' 5").
£4,500

Antique Timuri Carpet, Sangtschuli Sub-Tribe, Borderlands of ...

Item Ref
BM2112

In near-mint condition, this fabulous Timuri rug has the highest quality soft, shiny wool with highlights of green silk throughout and complete kilim skirts at each end. The central 'tree-of-life' has branches protruding from it and surrounded by a multitude of symbols - stunning and subtle in its drawing. The madder-red main border depicts a continuous vine - symbolically representing the eternal cycle of life.
Made during the last quarter of the 19th century by Sangtschuli tribes on the eastern Persian/western Afghanistan border, it really needs to be seen and handled to fully appreciate the high quality of the work involved. Please look at the close-up photos to see the fabulous natural colours.
This is Timuri weaving at its best!
Size: 2.44m x 1.27m (8' 0" x 4' 2").
£4,300

Antique Kurdish Rug, Sa'uj Bulagh, Eastern Kurdistan. ...

Item Ref
BM2154

The Kurds are one of the world's least-known ethnic groups and can be traced back to the dawn of antiquity.
Old Kurdish tribal weavings often have different dyed colours of wool weft in the same piece whereas the tribes of Sa'uj Bulagh near Sulaymania dyed the wool for their wefts, red or red-brown.
Nomadic Kurds often employed symbols such as hooked polygons within hexagonal forms, talismanic devices as well as human figures, as can be seen at the base of this exceptional rug.
Made in the environs of Sa'uj Bulagh during the third quarter of the nineteenth century, this area was famed for its fine lustrous wool and exquisite tribal rugs. The use of natural colours in this rug and exceptional white wool which can be seen in the outer minor border, shows the fabulous range of colours used by these nomads.
This rug is in very good overall condition, albeit with an evenly-low pile and a corroded brown field, which is generally found in these early rugs due to the iron-based mordant.
Nineteenth century rugs from the Kurds of Sa'uj Bolagh these days, are rare to come by, and this is truly a beautiful and very collectible rug.
Size: 2.00m x 1.30m (6' 6" x 4' 3")

£3,500

Antique Chelaberd Rug, Southern Caucasus.

Item Ref
BM2114

The development of the Chelaberd design can be seen through a number of extant rugs as far back as the 17th century. The name 'Chelaberd' originates from a village to the south-east of Chondzoresk in the southern Caucasus.
The red ground is dominated in this case by two large sun-flowers bursting open and symbolically giving life.
This is a truly fabulous rug, made in the Chelaberd region around 1900 and looking closely, you can see stylised peacocks and quadrupeds.
In very good condition, albeit with an evenly-low cut pile, this has been reflected in the price.
Size: 2.34m x 1.62m (7' 8" x 5' 4").
£3,500

Antique Feraghan Rug, Feraghan Region, North-West Persia. ...

Item Ref
BM/RM1

This beautiful, elegant rug was made in the Feraghan region of north-west Persia circa 1900.
It is very finely knotted with an overall design of small shrubs and a continuous 'cartouche' border - typically Feraghan. All natural dyes, the rug is in excellent pile overall.
Size: 1.96m x 1.30m (6' 5" x 4' 3").
£3,500

Antique Corridor Carpet, Feraghan, North-West Persia.

Item Ref
BM2144

This beautiful corridor carpet has a stunning madder-red field comprising five central lozenges in shades of dark-green, pea-green and ivory. Made in the Feraghan region of north-west Persia circa 1900, both ends of the red field contain small, stylised birds and what appear to be combs symbolising cleanliness. The carpet is in very good condition with both ends complete and no restoration whatsoever.
Size: 3.00m x 1.35m (9' 10" x 4' 5").
£3,250