1stbid


1251 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20007
202-758-0801

About Auction House

1stbid deals in authentic antique and vintage hand-woven rugs and other objets d'art acquired across the globe from France to Iran, Morocco to China. Every item on offer has been hand-picked and assessed according to the discerning eye of proprietor Victor Mashihi, whose family has sold rugs & objects of Art to royalty and other select clientele since his grandfather opened a gallery in Cairo in 1916. The 1st bid collection can be viewed at gallery locations open seven days a week in Manhattan and Georgetown, Washington DC, or bid upon from the convenience of your home in monthly auctions ...Read More
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Auction Previews & News

15 Results
  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    1stbid’s Elegant Artistry Auction Features The Day of Judgement Painting & Antique Haji Jalili Tabriz Rug 

    This February, 1stbid will present its Elegant Artistry: Rug and Art Auction. The sale offers over 200 lots of curated antique rugs, French tapestries, Art Deco masterpieces, fine art paintings, and sculptures. Interested collectors can explore the grandeur of Persian Heriz, Tabriz, and Sarouk rugs alongside the timeless Mohtasham Kashan and Bakhshayesh rugs. The auction will also offer intricate 19th-century Caucasian scatter rugs and luxurious Turkish silk rugs. The event will take place on February 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM EST. Collectors can view the complete catalog and place bids by visiting Bidsquare.  John Marin Oil on Canvas The Day of Judgement, an oil painting on canvas by John Martin, is a leading lot in the Elegant Artistry: Rug and Art Auction (lot #5705; estimate: USD 300,000 - $400,000). John Martin (1789 - 1854) was an English painter, engraver, and illustrator. Martin has been referred to as "the most popular painter of his day" by Sir Thomas Lawrence. Martin was known for his vast and dramatic paintings of religious subjects and larger-than-life compositions with minute figures in imposing landscapes. Martin's works have influenced several generations of movie-makers, writers, and the French Romantic movement, in both art and literature. Joan Miro Oil on Panel An abstract oil painting on panel hand-signed by Joan Miró is another key lot in the auction (lot #5720; estimate: $55,000 - $65,000). This piece is executed in vital shades of orange, yellow, and brown. An amorphous green shape rises in the center, adorned with black stars, rings, and circles. Miró was an internationally acclaimed Surrealist painter notable for his interest in the unconscious or the subconscious mind, reflected in his re-creation of the ethereal. British School 17th Century Oil on Canvas Other notable artworks in the catalog include a 17th-century British School oil on canvas painting, which depicts a woman wearing an Elizabethan ruff, and a Biblical oil painting by John Martin. Interested collectors can also consider works by Egon Schiele, Paul Signac, and Konstantine Szewczenko.  Noteworthy lots in the Elegant Artistry: Rug and Art Auction include:  Woman's Portrait - an oil painting on canvas with dimensions of 25.5 inches by 21.25…

  • Auction Industry
    Antique Rugs Shine in 1stbid’s Elegant Artistry: Rug and Art Auction

    A broad selection of fine art, sculpture, rugs, and more will soon cross the auction block at 1stbid. The company’s Elegant Artistry: Rug and Art Auction, which begins at 2:00 PM EST on February 25, 2024, offers over 230 lots and particularly highlights antique rugs from around the world. Here are a few of the top carpets that caught the eye of the Auction Daily team.  Antique Haji Jalili Tabriz rug. Image courtesy of 1stbid.  Antique Haji Jalili Tabriz Rug Among the top lots of this upcoming sale is an antique Haji Jalili Tabriz rug featuring a hexagonal royal blue center medallion (lot #7279; estimate: USD 25,000 - $25,000). Within the medallion are small red flower and green leaf motifs, accented by a rust orange subfield. This carpet measures over 17 feet long.  Master rugmaker Haji Jalili played a critical role in the revival of Tabriz carpets in the 19th century. An educated man who created rugs for the Persian court, Haji Jalili often updated old Persian rug designs with a twist. The rugs that emerged from his workshop married elements of both European art and traditional Sufi philosophy. Unlike older Tabriz carpets that embrace jewel tones, Haji Jalili rugs tend to use softer colors and disparate patterns.  Antique Bidjar Garuss rug. Image courtesy of 1stbid.  Antique Bidjar Garuss Rug Another key antique rug in the upcoming sale comes from the northwest Bidjar region of historical Persia (present-day Iran) (lot #6861; estimate: $18,000 - $20,000). This large example features a complex scatter pattern of forked, geometric shapes and small flowers. Like many Bidjar rugs, this piece from the nearby town of Garuss has a thick, heavy weave that increases the rug’s durability.  Many rugs produced in the Bidjar region were influenced by Kurdish culture, as a large population of ethnic Kurds have historically resided there. Their weaving traditions embraced many different design styles, including folk patterns and more recognizable medallions inspired by the weavers of Tabriz and Heriz. Due to this diversity of patterns, the defining feature of many Bidjar rugs is their double-knot construction and durable weave.  Antique Chinese…

  • Auction Preview
    Paintings by Miró and John Marin, Haji Jalili Rugs Available at 1stbid in February

    The latest sale from 1stbid will present over 200 lots of antique rugs and carpets, as well as assorted fine artworks. Among the top lots is an oil on panel painting by Joan Miró. This abstract piece features rich shades of orange, yellow, and brown. In the center, an amorphous green shape rises, adorned with black stars, rings, and circles. This work contains the artist’s signature in the lower right corner. Other notable artworks in the catalog include a 17th-century British School oil on canvas painting, which depicts a woman wearing an Elizabethan ruff, and a Biblical oil painting by John Marin. Interested collectors can also consider works by Egon Schiele, Paul Signac, and Konstantine Szewczenko.  The rugs section of this auction is led by an antique Haji Jalili Tabriz carpet measuring over 17 feet long. Haji Jalili was a renowned carpet weaver who helped catalyze a Tabriz rug revival in the late 19th century. The rugs that emerged from his workshop married elements of both European art and traditional Sufi philosophy, often updating old Persian rug designs by using softer colors and harmonizing disparate patterns. The offered Haji Jalili rug features a hexagonal royal blue medallion in the center and multiple elaborate borders in blue and orange. Also available is a silk Heriz rug with a floral center medallion and a French mid-century rug in the Art Deco style. View the complete Art & Rugs Auction catalog and find other online auctions by visiting Bidsquare. 

  • Auction Preview
    Rev. Matthew William Peters Painting & Rare Sculpture by Johann Ferdinand Preiss Lead 1stbid’s Upcoming Auction

    An oil on canvas painting titled Aladdin's Lamp by Rev. Matthew William Peters is leading the Curated Collection of Rugs & Art Auction, presented by 1stbid. William Peters (1742 - 1814) was an English portrait and genre painter. He later became an Anglican clergyman and chaplain to King George IV. Peters often chose historical scenes, portraits, and risqué figures as his subjects. Born in the Isle of Wight, he received artistic training in Dublin. Among sculptures, a bronze statue titled The Autumn Dancer by Johann Ferdinand Preiss is notable. Preiss (1882 - 1943) was a German sculptor and considered one of the most influential sculptors of the Art Deco period. The Autumn Dancer, designed by the artist around 1925, is composed of bronze and bone on an onyx and marble base. It is an excellent example of the Art Deco style. A Tiffany dragonfly floor lamp with leaded glass & bronze shade is another notable lot in the sale. Collectors can also find delicate 19th-century Caucasian scatter rugs and Persian/Turkish silk rugs in the catalog. View the complete Curated Collection of Rugs & Art auction, browse other online auctions, and register to bid by visiting Bidsquare.

  • Auction Preview
    Ellsworth Kelly & Alberto Giacometti Bronze Sculptures Lead the Art and Rug Showcase by 1stbid

    Ellsworth Kelly appreciated the curves of the human body. He wanted certain parts of his sculptures to be more voluptuous than others because that is how bodies are created, according to the artist. A bronze and marble sculpture by Kelly is leading the Art & Rug Showcase: No Reserve Auction, presented by 1stbid. Ellsworth Kelly (1923 - 2015) was an American painter, sculptor, and printmaker. Before he became an artist, he was a war veteran. He served in the military during World War II alongside other artists and designers to create The Ghost Army. They created and used inflatable tanks, trucks, and other elements of subterfuge to mislead the German force. His experience with military camouflage became part of his basic art training. His artworks are associated with Minimalist art, hard-edge painting, and color-field painting. His works demonstrate unassuming techniques emphasizing lines, bright colors, and voluptuous forms. Alberto Giacometti was among the most important sculptors of the 20th century. The eldest of four children, Giacometti (1901 - 1966) was a descendant of Protestant refugees escaping the Italian Inquisition by the Roman Catholic Church. Giacometti was raised in Switzerland in an artistic environment where his interest in art flourished from an early age. He began sculpting human figures influenced by artistic styles such as Cubism and Surrealism. His sculptures began depicting his self-perceived inability, his questions about human conditions in a very existential manner, and his analysis of figurative compositions. Giacometti wrote how he looked back at the Realist, Classical busts of his youth with nostalgia. The rough, eroded, heavily worked surfaces of his sculptures, reduced to their core, evoke lone trees in winter that have lost their foliage. An Alberto Giacometti bronze sculpture of a Pope-like figure is another notable lot in the sale. Collections can also find an antique Mohtasham Kashan rug in the catalog. View the complete Art & Rug Showcase: No Reserve Auction, browse other online auctions, and register to bid by visiting Bidsquare.

  • Auction Preview
    Striking Yssima Nini Ferrucci Rug and Antique Sewan Kazak Carpet Come to Sale With 1stbid

    The ancient rug making tradition in Tibet goes back hundreds of years. Tibetan carpets were originally made of wool called changpel, which comes from the highland sheep. These rugs are used for varied purposes, including flooring, wall hangings, horse saddles and seating. The knotting technique used in Tibet is considered to be distinct from the carpet-making crafts in the rest of the world. However, the Tibetan rug weaving industry declined after the Chinese invasion in 1959. It revived in the 1970s but not in Tibet, instead in Nepal. A mid-century Tibetan-Nepalese brand Yssima Nini Ferrucci room-sized rug is a key highlight of the upcoming sale, offered by 1stbid. A combination of bright and muted colors, the Chinese-styled carpet is designed with abstract and asymmetrical zebra-striped patterns.  Another noteworthy carpet is an antique Sewan Kazak piece from Armenia, South West Caucasus. Woven with bold patterns in natural hues, the rug is adorned with geometric and medallion designs in a prayer directional layout. Primarily made in villages, the Caucasian rugs are woven with materials sourced from tribal provinces. To view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming Mid-Summer Art & Rug Auction, visit Bidsquare and browse other online auctions.

  • Auction Preview
    Persian Serapi Rugs, French Aubusson Rugs, and More With 1stbid

    1stbid's upcoming New York Collectors' Rugs & Art Auction showcases over 200 fine carpets from across the globe. Among the top lots is an antique Serapi rug from the northwest Persian Heriz district. Serapi carpets from the Heriz area are among the most coveted and rare large decorative Persian carpets. This rug style differs from other rugs in the region with its finer knotting and larger, broader designs. A beautiful fusion of tribal Caucasian patterns and early Safavid influences is reflected in these rugs. A distinctive characteristic of this style is the use of saturated earthen colors combined with creams and blues to create a dramatic contrast to the composition. The available carpet consists of a red background with ragged octagon pendant medallions, corners finished in ecru, and a navy border of polychrome ragged palmettes and rosettes. Another notable Persian rug in the sale is an antique Isfahan rug. Isfahan handmade rugs are distinguished by their delicate, curvilinear floral designs and classical antique carpet motifs such as arabesques, scrolls, interlacing vines, and hunting scenes. Beyond Persian rugs, this sale also features an Aubusson rug influenced by French Aubusson designs of the 18th century and later. Other key lots include a royal blue antique Tribal Lori Rug and a Chinese rug made between 1920 and 1930. View the complete catalog of the New York Collectors' Rugs & Art Auction and find more online auctions on Bidsquare.

  • Auction Preview
    Jamie Browning Wyeth’s Realist Painting, Serapi and Tabriz Rugs To Be Sold by 1stbid

    Attention to detail in Jamie Browning Wyeth's paintings validates his status as one of America’s leading Realist painters. Born in Pennsylvania to a family of renowned artists, Wyeth continued the family tradition. He is an artistic heir to the Brandywine School tradition of painting the rural Brandywine River of Delaware. Major subjects in his paintings include local people, animals, and landscapes. The Sea Locker by James Browning Wyeth is leading the upcoming Estate Treasures: Art & Rugs Auction, offered by 1stbid this April. Notable among the rugs in this sale are French tapestries, Serapi rugs, Tabriz rugs, and signed silk rugs. Tabriz rugs are primarily made of silk and have been woven in Persia since the 1880s. The available Tabriz rug is a large carpet from the city of Tabriz, home to a weaving tradition that started during the Shah Abbas period in the 15th and 16th centuries. Tabriz was also a Persian market linked to Europe and Western commerce. Visit Bidsquare for more information on the upcoming Estate Treasures: Art & Rugs Auction and to browse other online auctions.

  • Auction Preview
    Antique Kazak Rugs & Antique Sarouk Rugs Lead 1stbid’s Spring Auction

    Kazak Khanate, the ancient Kazakh state in Central Asia, was bordered by mountain ranges and lush valleys of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. It was home to weavers and dyers from Armenia as well as Azeris, Northern Caucasians, and other ethnic groups in this cultural melting pot. The Kazak rugs are among the most valuable and captivating Caucasian rugs due to their highly saturated color tones and tribal motifs. In addition to their allover patterns, the rugs are well known for their magnificent and graphic medallions, including the Sevan and Karachof styles. In the upcoming Exceptional Spring Auction - Art & Rugs, presented by 1stbid, an antique Kazak rug will be a key lot. The available antique Kazak rug features ram's horns, wisdom stars, and box-shaped medallions, among others. Antique rugs and carpets in the sale also include an antique Sarouk rug— named after a village situated north of Arak (Sultanabad). As a renowned weaving region in 19th-century Persia, Sarouk was known for creating carpets of high quality and artistic distinction. A variety of floral and curvilinear designs are seen on antique Sarouk carpets, including vine scrolls, opulent arabesques, and local bouquet patterns typical of the diverse weaving traditions that exist in the region. Visit Bidsquare to view the Exceptional Spring Auction - Art & Rugs catalog and browse other online auctions.

  • Auction Preview
    1stbid Presents Midwinter Auction of Fine Art & Exceptional Rugs

    Tabriz, a major city in Northwest Persia near the Turkish border, is known for its classically styled antique carpets handwoven since the 15th century. These carpets have maintained high technical standards as well as a wide variety of repertoires. Antique Tabriz rugs come in every shade from brilliant rich colors to soft pastels, offering classical medallion designs and allover patterns. They are highly regarded for their quality, which distinguishes them from other Persian rugs. In the upcoming Midwinter Auction, presented by 1stbid, an antique Tabriz rug will be a key focus. The available Tabriz rug features the squinch and dome pattern depicted in Persian mosques with a highly detailed example of a radiating medallion surrounded by a series of irregular pentagons. Antique Persian rugs and carpets in the sale also include an antique Bakhtiari rug— named after the Bakhtiari nomads, native to the Zagros mountains near Isfahan. Lobed and pointed ivory medallions, with fat cartouche ivory pendants featuring tiny, abbreviated clouds, adorn this Persian rustic rug. Bakhtiari carpets are made from strong, durable wool and are among the strongest Persian rugs. Find the listed items as well as other online auctions on Bidsquare.

  • Auction Preview
    Antique Bakshayesh Heriz Rug Leads 1stbid’s New Year Auction

    Heriz rugs originated in the village of Heriz, located on the slopes of Mount Sabalan in northwest Iran. Bakshayesh rugs are tribal Heriz carpets woven since 1900. These carpets are durable and hard-wearing, and they can last for generations. The hard-wearing wool is due to traces of copper in the drinking water of sheep. An antique tribal Bakshayesh Heriz carpet is offered in New Year Auction, presented by 1stbid. The available carpet has slightly more muted palettes, like rust, straw, and lighter blues. Heriz carpets typically have coarse to moderate weaves, wool, or mixed constructions.  A well-made, antique Tabriz carpet is also available in the New Year Auction. Its ecru field and flower border display polychrome palmettes. The corners with barbed leaf edges surround an elaborate medallion central motif. The motif is surrounded by a rich red border. Tabriz carpets originated in East Azerbaijan province in Iran. Between the 12th and 16th centuries CE, the art of Tabriz carpets was at its zenith. The art is continued through Tabriz carpets while adapting to the changing taste in colors and patterns. Among European carpets available in this sale is an antique Aubusson-Beauvais pictorial French tapestry. It depicts young French friends and lovers outdoors. The Aubusson tapestry industry likely developed soon after 1300 in the Aubusson valley of central France. Find the listed items and more online auctions on Bidsquare and register to place a bid.

  • Auction Preview
    1stbid Presents Antique Silk Haji Jalili Tabriz Rug

    Haji Jalili carpets from Tabriz are known worldwide for their luxurious feel and exquisite beauty. They are characterized by their excellent weaving quality and detailed designs as well as vibrant colors. In addition to having a beautiful sheen, these magnificent antique rugs are extremely durable due to the use of silk. In the upcoming 1stbid sale, an antique silk Haji Jalili Tabriz rug will be a key highlight. Haji Jalili is credited with rejuvenating Tabriz as a global rug weaving capital through his work on antique Tabriz rugs. This rug features attached oval shapes and arabesques that encircle every four botehs. Aside from Persian carpets, the catalog provides an extensive collection of French, Belgian, and Flemish tapestries. After the work of 18th-century French court painter Charles Coypel, illustration tapestries with decorative surrounds first appeared, reaching the height of their popularity under Maurice Jacques and François Boucher. Featuring Boucher's elegant compositions and Jacques' delicate border designs, these tapestries were among the most excellent and spectacular produced at Gobelins Textile Manufactory in France. For more information about the sale as well as other online auctions, visit Bidsquare.

  • Auction Industry, Press Release
    Fine Rugs, Abstract Expressionist Paintings, and More Will Cross the Block With 1stBid

    At 1stbid this October, an exceptional selection of vintage and antique rugs will soon come to market. The offerings include stellar examples from Turkey, Persia, and India, as well as a selection of uncommon French Art Deco spreads. The sale will start at 2:00 PM EDT on October 16, 2022. Interested collectors can participate live or online via Bidsquare.  Antique Bakhtiari Rug, 6’5” x 8’1” (1.96 x 2.46 M) Leading the catalog is an antique Bakhtiari rug that bears rich shades of navy blue, ivory, and crimson (lot #7422; estimate: USD 35,000 - $45,000). Woven by people in the Bakhtiari tribes of the Zagros Mountains, Bakhtiari rugs are famous for bridging tribal aesthetics and Persian ideals. In particular, this style of carpet uses bold colors, crisp designs, and articulated medallions to add layers of richness and complexity. The available Bakhtiari carpet measures 6’5” by 8’1” with a delicate fringe along the short sides. Flowers and vines dominate the center medallion, while a triple border brings the viewer’s eye toward the center.  Also notable are two antique Heriz rugs, both featuring rich jewel tones. The first is a room-sized carpet that uses the characteristic rectilinear forms of Heriz rugs (lot #748; estimate: $18,000 - $25,000). Jagged lines and clear outlines accent a swirling network of foliage and arabesques. The second key Heriz rug in the sale embraces a more muted shade of red, nearing salmon pink in some areas (lot #744; estimate: $18,000 - $25,000). It bears an elongated medallion in the center, as well as a highly structured border. French Art Deco Rug, 8’4” x 9’11” (2.54 x 3.02 M) A French Art Deco rug by an unknown artist will also be available (lot #8236; estimate: $20,000 - $25,000). It features Picasso-esque faces and indistinguishable forms boldly crammed into the rug’s square canvas. Another French Art Deco rug in the catalog embraces abstraction (lot #8233; estimate: $18,000 - $20,000). Zig-zags and off-brown squares spark visual interest.   Attributed Jackson Pollock, Oil on Canvas Part of this auction is dedicated to fine works of art attributed to some of the greatest…

  • Auction Industry
    1stbid’s Exceptional Auction of Antique and Vintage Rugs

    The assortment of antique to contemporary carpets available at 1stbid's Exceptional Auction of Antique and Vintage Rugs event is simply flooring! This sale will be held on October 16, 2022 at 2:00 PM EDT both online as well as live at the company's Washington, DC gallery. Over 180 fine silk and wool examples from across the globe are on offer. Here are a few highlights that truly inspire us to cut a rug. A vintage Turkish Hereke silk rug. Image courtesy of 1stbid. The top lot in this sale is #7048, a premier vintage Turkish Hereke silk rug. It measures 6’11” x 10’3” (or 2.11 x 3.12 M) and is estimated at USD 35,000 to $45,000. It has an opening bid of $22,500. This gorgeously rendered, fringed example is finely knotted primarily in light tan, greens, and pinks, with brown and burgundy highlights. Hereke rugs have long been made in a small town about an hour’s drive from Istanbul. The factory has been in business since the mid-1800s. These rugs, often large scale and intricately patterned, are traditionally made from silk, wool, and cotton. They sometimes include metallic threads. Traditionally, they were made for royalty and produced in part as gifts for society and other high-ranking officials. An antique Mohtasham Kashan rug. Image courtesy of 1stbid. Also of palatial size and interest is lot #5073, a handsome antique Mohtasham Kashan rug. It measures 9’ x 12’6” (or 2.74 x 3.81 M) and is estimated at $35,000 to $45,000. It has an opening bid of $22,000. This mostly tan, navy, and crimson stunner features countless flowers and other natural elements in concentric waves. Enthusiasts consider Kashan rugs, which are made in Kashan, Iran, to be among the most desirable and collectible types of Persian rugs produced. The name "Mohtasham" refers to a 19th-century master weaver who was known for his extraordinary craftsmanship. Like this example, Mohtasham Kashan rugs often feature bold colors and a prominent blue medallion. An antique Heriz rug. Image courtesy of 1stbid. All eyes are certain to be on lot #7422, a fine antique silk Heriz rug. It…

  • Auction Preview
    Turkish Hereke Rug, Heriz Carpets, Art Deco, and More at 1stbid

    The upcoming Exceptional Auction of Antique & Vintage Rugs, presented by 1stbid, will particularly feature a fine Turkish silk Hereke rug. During the mid-1800s, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire recruited some of the best weavers in the land to establish a new royal workshop in the town of Hereke. Before long, high-quality rugs emerged. The craftspeople used a combination of silk, cotton, and wool threads to weave their masterpieces. The available Hereke rug features tightly coiled patterns of flowers, vines, and arabesques in muted shades of gold, salmon, and pale green. Another notable rug in the auction is an antiqe silk Persian Heriz rug. This example bears a bold center medallion and a triple border.  Beyond Persian carpets, the catalog brings a robust collection of French Art Deco rugs from the early 20th century. These carpets depart from traditional symmetry and subtle shades. Instead, they embrace bold patterns and spontaneity. Among them is a French area rug that references the paintings of Joan Miró. Amorphous shapes cover the rug, sometimes resembling a human face or a small picture. The rug relies heavily on the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) against a nondescript background. To bid in this and other online auctions, visit Bidsquare.