The Most Beautiful Antique Persian Rug

Written By James Arsin

Being raised in a family of rug collectors, I spent most of my life looking at new and different rugs. Last week I came across the most interesting rug, a one-of-a-kind 18th-century Persian Kerman, and wanted to share the information I have found about this beautiful piece.

From the Chicago Estate of American gallerist and philanthropist Maria McCormick comes this unique rug to an Auction Gallery in Florida as an Indo-Persian rug priced at $100 and sold for $175,000 plus associated auction fees.

Color:
The color combination and brightness of colors that the rug holds, given its age, reflects the accuracy in dying the wool. Wool that is properly dyed will withstand its true colors for centuries.

The gold and blue colors have only been found in 17th-century Persian rugs.

Wool Quality:
The quality of the wool is apparent and seen in the sheen of the wool.

Just like human hair, when wool is dyed it can become brittle and break over time. The colors and quality of the wool have survived over centuries which goes to show how precise the color process has been completed on such quality wool.

Design:
Islamic art designers have historically used repeated patterns in their designs, and by looking at this particular rug you will notice the same technique is used. However, this pattern and this color combination in Persian rugs are not commonly found online or in books.

Condition:
Rugs older than 200 years are judged based on their condition. This rug will not disappoint on this front, as the condition is perfect. Most pieces that would be brothers, sisters, or in some way resemble this piece, have long been extinct or remain only in fragments.

Size:
The size of this rug is 10’8 X 19’5 or 325 X 598 cm.
In my opinion, this rug is a 17th-century Persian Kerman that is priceless.