The days when one would consider an antique rug only for Victorian mansions or traditional living rooms are long passй. And this is a good thing, since antique Oriental and European carpets have too much to offer to any space to be reserved for traditional settings. It is now widely recognized that antique rugs not only complement but enhance any space, no matter how modern. Indeed, an antique rug is a way of introducing individuality to the monotony of pure modernity. This is especially noteworthy when considering the current trend, where the modern look has become so ubiquitous that many designers consider it quite a challenge to achieve a distinctive touch. As some have suggested: the pure modern look has become bland. It comes therefore as no surprise that many architects, private individuals and collectors, designers and decorators now realize that to remain cutting-edge actually means to escape the restrictions of the pure modern look and to reintroduce the timeless beauty of antique art. Given the vast variety in design, colors and patterns, antique rugs are particularly suited for this purpose. After all, many antique rugs feature magnificent designs with geometric structures that blend in with their modern surroundings so as to elevate an otherwise monotone space into a spectacular composition. If you ever saw an antique oriental carpet in a modern space, you probably wondered whether the carpet was actually designed with a modern space in mind. It is as if the rug was woven with the intention to transcend time. Simply imagine your floor covered with an antique Agra rug, an antique Persian rug from Tabriz, or a Persian Kerman carpet, just to name a few, and you’ll realize how greatly an antique rug would enhance the look of your space by pulling together the surrounding furniture. What makes a classic antique rug an especially compelling choice is a color pallet that will match almost any interior. We recently saw yet another modern hotel lobby that featured two antique rugs with gorgeous pastel and earth tones in order to add necessary warmth to the space without drawing unwanted attention to the rugs. Next time you see an antique rug, imagine above it a painting by Rothko, Modigliani or de Kooning, and this arrangement is ready to be featured in a design magazine.

A common thinking is that you buy an antique oriental rug only when you need a decorating touch. Of course, an antique carpet beautifies a room indeed: it adds warmth, provides texture, and pulls together the various other furnishings. In fact, the beauty of an antique oriental carpet often becomes the centerpiece of the room and elevates the space beyond the ordinary. It is therefore important to recognize that an antique rug is more than just a decorating piece. After all, the classic designs and timeless patterns of antique rugs are only one aspect that provide them with an aura of uniqueness; what is of equal if not greater importance is the rich history surrounding each individual antique rug - that is, its provenance, its artist, the design, and the historic backdrop that influenced the making of the rug. For this reason we have long considered it as part of our mission to show what an antique rug really is at its core: an extraordinary piece of fine art, much as a beautiful painting or a gorgeous piece of furniture. As Kelly Crow of the Wall Street Journal pointedly noted in her June 18, 2010 article The Rug Market Takes Flight, “These days, top antique rugs are sold more like works of art than pieces of decor.” We always encourage our customers to become intimately familiar with all facets of any antique rug before making a choice, so as to view the antique rug not only in context of aesthetic considerations but also in light of the growing market and ever-rising demand for antique rugs. Accordingly, each piece in our selection of antique rugs reflects the notion that decor and art are both integral aspects of a high-quality antique rug.