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").
£6,950

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

Item Ref
BM1996

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 circa 1880 -1900 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. This is Timuri weaving at its best!
Size: 2.44m x 1.27m (8' 0" x 4' 2").
£4,500

Antique Dining Sofreh, Baluch - Djamshidi ...

Item Ref
BM/SJ7

Illustrated in my third edition 'Tribal Rugs - Treasures of the Black Tent' on page 130 this is a magnificent example of the rare Baluch Djamshidi sofrehs, comprising a natural camel-hair field with elegant 'tree-of-life' in the centre. The tree rises from the underground, through the earthly world and with branches emanating in the world of the spirit. On the branches of the tree are tiny flowering shrubs.
The field is framed by a large, main border with '8-pointed stars' and the sofreh retains its complete kilim skirts at each end. Dating to the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the sofreh is in excellent condition with no repairs whatsoever. Very collectable.
Size: 1.27m x 0.71m (4' 2" x 2' 4").
£3,500

Antique Timuri 'Palas', Sangtschuli Sub-Tribe, Borderlands of ...

Item Ref
BM1946

'Palas' or flat-weaves of the Timuri Sangtschuli tribe are incredibly rare and this is one of the finest flat-weaves from this tribe that I've come across. In excellent condition and with just a few small areas of expert restoration on the selvedges, the fine soumak work has to be seen to be appreciated.
It is incredibly sophisticated work for a tribe, living in very inhospitable conditions during the mid 19th century, and using a ground loom to weave this remarkable piece.
The last similar Sangtschuli Palas to pass through my hands is illustrated in the third edition of my book 'Tribal Rugs - Treasures of the Black Tent' on page 94. However, what is more unusual about this piece, is the wide goat-hair selvedges - unique and extremely rare.
These flat-weaves are generally referred to as 'Baluch' in the unknowledgeable trade but in fact, are woven by the Timuri - Sangtschuli tribe on the borderlands of eastern Persia and western Afghanistan.
On a separate note, for those interested in these amazing Palas weaves, see the recently published book 'Baluch Textiles - Back to the Roots' by Jorg Affentranger and Wolfgang Windau. Highly recommended.
Size: 2.70m x 1.60m (8' 10" x 5' 3").
£2,750

Antique Corridor Runner, Baluch Tribes of Zabol, ...

Item Ref
BM2089

How often does one come across an antique runner, never mind a Baluch runner these days?
Not only a runner but an amazingly narrow runner!! Only 52cm wide! This is truly a rare find!
Made by Baluch tribes in the Zabol area of Sistan Province, south-east Persia circa 1880, this runner is in excellent overall condition and ready to lay in a narrow hallway. The glowing brown-red ground is divided into nine Turkmen 'tshemtshe' guls, often used by the Sistani Baluch in their weavings. Particulary attractive, is the use of a beautiful green in the inner and outer borders as well as being complete with its flatweave and brocaded skirts each end.
Size: 3.05m x 0.52m (10' 0" x 1' 8").
£2,500

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Sistan Province, South-East ...

Item Ref
BM/IG3

A rare and beautiful Baluch tribal rug in excellent condition made in the Sistan region circa 1880.
Another rug I have been reunited with recently and after 30 years of being enjoyed elsewhere, it is lovely to have it back in the fold!
The unusual ground colour resembles burnt-orange with three central rectangles comprising 'Mushwani' type lozenges. Very finely knotted, the outer 'laleh abassi' border is beautifully drawn and frames the rug in the most stunning way. It is complete with short kilim skirts each end.
Size: 1.70m x 0.94m (5' 7" x 3' 1").
£2,350

Antique Bread Sofreh, Baluch Tribes, Khorassan Province, ...

Item Ref
BM1985

This magnificent, finely woven and knotted-pile bread sofreh has been in my personal collection for a few years. It is one of the best of type that I've come across in 40 years of dealing and collecting.
The central aubergine field is in fine plain-weave technique and it is surrounded by a very finely knotted-pile border containing the continuous vine, symbolising the eternal cycle of life.
Bearing in mind it was made during the second half nineteenth century, this sofreh is in remarkable condition and is complete with brocade and plain-weave 'elems' or skirts.
Size: 3' 10" square
£2,350

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM/IG2

Another reunited Baluch rug sold over 30 years ago and nice to have it back. It has a beautiful madder-red ground with an overall small lozenge pattern, disappearing under the borders and out into infinity. The main border has a relatively typical Baluch continuous vine leaf symbolising the eternal cycle of life.
A very elegant and nicely-drawn rug, made circa 1880 in Khorassan province of north-eastern Persia.
Size: 2.00m x 1.20m (6' 6" x 4' 0").
£1,850

Antique Prayer-Rug, Baluch Tribes, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM1972

This rare, small size Baluch prayer-rug has a beautiful drawing of the 'tree-of-life' on a natural camel-hair field and unusual yet striking, palmette in the prayer niche.
The hand-panels contain a simply-drawn 'tree' in each, again on natural camel-hair background.
In excellent condition and dating to circa 1880, this charming little rug retains its original plain-weave ends.
Size: 1.42m x 0.76m (4' 8" x 2' 6").
£1,800

Antique Prayer-Rug, Timuri - Yaqoub Khani Tribe, ...

Item Ref
BM2012

Beautifully balanced design of 'trees-of-life' rising upwards on a natural undyed, camel-ground field, from the underworld to the branches symbolising the world of the spirit.
Made by the Yaqoub Khani Timuri during the last quarter of the 19th century, the rug is in excellent condition, albeit with some very tiny repairs, and is complete with its brocaded and slit-tapestry skirts at either end.
The wool quality is amazing, soft and silky, and this rug would make an amazing wall-hanging.
A truly beautiful prayer-rug which needs to be seen to fully appreciate the subtle natural colours.
Size: 1.55m x 0.84m (5' 1" x 2' 9").
£1,500

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Ferdows Province, South-East ...

Item Ref
BM/IG1

Sold some 30 plus years ago from my Samarkand Galleries in Stow-on-the Wold, north Cotswolds, I have just been reunited with this unusual Ferdows Baluch rug along with two others.
This rug has a natural camel-hair ground on which 'lightening' patterns dominate the field and surrounded by a blue main border. The rug is in very good condition, dates to circa 1870 and is complete with long kilim skirts at each end.
Size: 1.30m x 0.84m (4' 3" x 2' 9").
£1,500

Antique Baluch Tribal Rug, Khorassan Province, North-East ...

Item Ref
BM2096

This unusual Baluch rug incorporates four main vertical border patterns in the field.
It is in excellent overall condition complete with chevron kilim skirts and made circa 1880.
Size: 1.75m x 1.07m (5' 9" x 3' 6").
£1,250