FEATURES ARCHIVE

I imagine that Carpets hold a rather unique fascination. Do you remember when you were first captivated by carpets?
Of course. I found a part-time position in a carpet gallery in London through a friend whilst studying Economics. On my first day, a lady came into the gallery with fabric samples. With my eye for colour I was able to match the samples to carpets we had in the gallery. She was delighted with the results, as was my boss, who asked me to stay on! I was fascinated by the dealers, the buying and selling, the carpets themselves, the colour, the design, and the fact that many carpets are hand woven - a skill that is passed on through generations in some cultures. In fact, in some cases you can see where children have woven parts of a carpet as the weave is different and the knots are smaller. I was mesmerized. For me, carpets are pictures on the floor. They are still very much undervalued. They are essential to the home – they bring warmth, design, colour and above all a story of their own. Just imagine the many people throughout history who will have walked over the carpet you buy. Imagine the mosques, castles, and hallways it will have graced…it’s enchanting when you think about it.

Carpets tend to be synonymous with the East. Is this where most carpets originate from?
Persia (now Iran) is where the early carpet masters originated - places like Isfahan, where the most beautiful silk carpets and rugs were woven. Turkey has also produced great pieces with lovely colour and design, and there are Caucasus carpets with more geometric patterns. Further a field, there is India with incredible carpets from the North in Agra and Amritzar. As the name suggests, prison, or ‘jail’ carpets as they are more commonly known, are made by the inmates of these notorious prisons. They are distinct for their high quality and unusually bold designs. We shouldn’t forget the great tribal pieces from Turkmenistan which have proved to be very popular over the years. Also look out for Chinese carpets of Peking and Continental quality which have a different feel altogether. In the 19th century carpets started to be made for commercial purposes, catering for the European market, in particular, the British home furnishings market. In general, carpet-weaving is found in many cultures and is an important part of everyday life.

Flying carpets are the stuff of dreams - appearing in tales such as Arabian nights. If you could have a flying carpet, what sort of carpet would you choose?
For me, all carpets are magical, and I certainly believe we should fly through life rather than walk through it! Looking at our forthcoming sale on 8 July, it would have to be lot 597, a Feraghan carpet from West Persia, a fine example of this type and all round. An attractive piece as Feraghan carpets are highly sought after for both their rarity and their bold colour and unusual design.

Should carpets be placed on the floor or displayed as wall hangings?
Carpets for the wall are essentially rugs or kilims (which are lighter carpets, flat weave) like tapestries, ideal for wall hanging. Persian rugs and prayer mats with designs running in a singular direction are also perfect for the wall. You will find that many tribal rugs were intended to adorn the walls of tents and the saddles of camels and horses. In general, however; carpets are meant for the floor.

Although they are meant for the floor, is it advisable to walk over a carpet that might be hundreds of years old?
You have to remember that they are made with the knowledge that they will be walked upon. I have seen carpets that are 300-400 years old and in good condition, they have been used, yes, but treated with care and respect. It is also important to have your carpets cleaned and repaired where necessary and this is something we are happy to advise on.

You must have travelled to some exciting places in search of the perfect carpets - have you have come across any hidden treasures?
Indeed, I have come across some wonderful things in Europe and America. England in particular is a great source of carpet ‘treasures’ due to its colonial history and the travels undertaken as part of the Grand Tour. I visited an elderly client in Pimlico, London some 12-13 years ago to value a small tribal rug she wanted to sell. Whilst there, she asked if I could help clear out some items in the attic that her builders had not removed. It was there that I came across a beautiful Agra carpet, circa 1860 which must have been covered in about 100 years of dirt and dust! I knew it was special and we sold it for her in our Autumn sale for a very good price. Needless to say, she was rather happy that I, rather than the builders (under her instruction to clear the attic), had helped her with that carpet, and she was pleasantly surprised with the sale outcome.

What do you need to consider before buying a carpet?
Carpets are works of art in their own right. I believe that above all you have to love a piece – it will belong to you and should reflect your taste. Whether new or old, look at the colour, design and importantly size, you can rest assured that I’m always on hand to share my knowledge and to advise my clients on all aspects of finding the perfect piece.