collectible antique oriental rugs

Not every antique rug is a collector’s piece. What sets one apart from the other is a mix of age, rarity, quality of weaving and state of preservation: rugs that, beyond being beautiful, hold the value of art and of history. This is the kind of piece Figalli seeks out and gathers in its collection.

What makes a collector’s piece

A collector’s piece usually brings a few things together: real age, generally from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, before production went to scale; fine weaving, with many knots per centimetre and a well-defined design; natural dyes; and good condition. Add to that rarity, whether an unusual pattern, a size that is hard to find, or the hand of a master weaver. These are rugs built to last centuries, and many already have. It is no accident that the finest rugs have always been treated as works of art, and some were made for royalty.

The great origins

Collecting is organised, in large part, by origin. Persian rugs are the benchmark of refinement, with Serapi, Kerman, Kashan, Bidjar and Tabriz among the most coveted. The Caucasians bring the force of geometric design and tribal colour, in names like Kazak and Karabagh. And the Turkish rugs keep their own tradition in Anatolia, from village pieces to the very fine Hereke. To get to know each type in depth, the rug guide describes the main families, one by one.

Highlights of the collection

At the top of the collection sit exceptional pieces: a Serapi from north-west Persia, a Bidjar, a Mohtasham Kashan from central Persia, or the Eagle Kazak from the Caucasus. These are rugs that pass US$16,000 and reach US$65,000, each one unique.

Authenticity

Every rug in the collection is assessed by specialists and carries the house’s guarantee as to origin, age and hand weaving. That is what lets you buy a collector’s piece with confidence, even from a distance.

Talk to us

Are you looking for a specific piece for your collection, or thinking of starting one? Talk to us. We help you find the right rug and tell the story behind each one.

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