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

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

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 Peking Rug

Also available in this sale of antique rugs is a Chinese Peking carpet dating from the 19th century or later (lot #7536; estimate: $12,000 – $15,000). Measuring over 14 feet long, this large example employs a delicate flower-and-vine pattern over an open cream background. A rich blue border surrounds this rug. 

The Chinese rug industry rapidly expanded following World War I. In this period, European tastes influenced the style of Chinese rugs, which gradually became larger and simpler in style. Chinese weavers embraced sparse Art Deco patterns and prioritized elegance in design. Many of the rugs produced in their workshops utilized just a few contrasting colors, which were intended to harmoniously unite a room. They were most often composed entirely of silk or silk pile. 

Turkish Bessarabian Rug

A Turkish Bessarabian rug is another notable lot in this upcoming auction (lot #7257; estimate: $6,000 – $8,000). This piece features a repeating pattern of diamonds and leaves in shades of yellow-gold against a pale blue background. Rugmaking in Turkey rose to new heights as the Ottoman Empire gained wealth and power, and weavers gradually embraced European patterns over traditional Islamic ones starting in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bessarabian carpets, produced in the western tip of Anatolia, are particularly known for their folk influences and beautiful designs. 

The Elegant Artistry: Rug and Art Auction from 1stbid will begin at 2:00 PM EST on February 25, 2024. To find more information on these antique rugs, browse the complete catalog, and register to bid, visit Bidsquare. Find additional coverage of this event on Auction Daily.