PERSIAN RUGS, Handwoven Art and Value!

Persian rugs are both a language and a world unto themselves. They can communicate distant ages and cultures to us. They are as diverse and complex as the people of those cultures. There are fine floral city rugs created by a team of professional design artists, dyers, spinners, weavers, and supervisors. There are village and tribal rugs woven by a mother and daughter simply sitting side by side in their home passing on their culture and tradition. Indeed, most handwoven rugs are made by women.

Each of the rugs you see here is completely handwoven, knot by knot, of pure Persian wool. In some cases, the wool has been handspun and the dyes made at home from natural recipes of herbs and minerals. Many rugs bear designs handed down for centuries, sometimes unique to that one tribe or village. They bear the choices of the weaver who combines colors, adds small birds or other designs, spaces the motifs, or even tucks in a miniature self-portrait somewhere. To do so, she plans the design rows ahead of where she is weaving, making these rugs both works of art and considerable feats of skill.

Now is the best time to buy an oriental in the last fifty years. From 1979-2001, the U.S.A. did not import rugs from Persia (Modern-day Iran). But for several reasons the Persians continued to produce and stockpiled a massive surplus. They were eager to sell and when the embargo ended in 2001 prices fell to a fraction of the historic average. Since then buying has been intense, causing prices to rise again, now reaching about half of the normal value. Also, since producers were accustomed to carry a surplus as a form of real estate, many of the rugs available now were produced years or even decades before the embargo, creating a situation where semiantique carpets are available without having been used, and at less than the cost to produce them today.

In Spite Of All That Taxes Us!

WOW, what an April we are having! This isn't suppose to happen at TAX TIME! What are we doing to enjoy this most precious gift...the gift of sales. Are we suddenly more attentive, better organized or sporting a broader smile? Perhaps, we have been appointing our showroom with just the right selection of home furnishings and decorative accessories? Maybe I should just relax and enjoy the benefits for which so many others could not manage to hold out?


A good business means different things to different people. Some may associate "a good business" as one that only carries exactly what they want, like a green handled, 1930's spatula or slightly rotted, 6 board chest with snipe hinges and the original paint flaking off to the touch? Others may be impressed by a ginormous array of cut, crystal stemware and brass candlesticks (some push-ups and some converted pig scrapers) or 4 complete sets of 1920-40's mahogany bed room sets?

Whatever the perception of any particular person as to what makes "a good business" they all would likely agree that their favorite business needs to be there when they are ready to visit and do some heavy browsing, collecting and buying. Which leads me back to my original point. Thanks to all for this most unexpected and welcomed April. Because we, unlike all those shops that were unable to survive the last couple of years, have been blessed by the good graces of those who thought we happened to have exactly what they wanted!

What Was That...Salt?

I was eating a potato chip and began to savor the way in which my taste buds reacted with glee. When the sumptuous flavor finally gave way to reality it was obvious that the oil and salt content was the culprit. What made it taste so delicious was the very thing that we’re all told is so bad! Well, that led to my thinking about the 1700’s & 1800’s and how important salt was to their diet. A day didn’t go by when you didn’t take in something with a high salt content. Back then, a day without salt was a day of risk and recklessness. What was not cured by salt was fresh and fresh was only available during a few months of the year.

Now, however, every time my kids pick up the salt shaker I admonish them for doing irreparable and lasting harm to themselves and our healthcare system. Yet, as I recall, while sitting with my back so straight at the Sunday dinner table at Grand mama’s house, there were these curious, tiny little crystal bowls. These bowls were always filled with salt. Each place setting had one of these tiny little bowls and placed just beyond the silver. I remember dipping my pinky into the salt and tasting the broad and tingling joy that spread from the tip of my tongue all the way to each side.

I guess it has taken quite a while for we moderns to wean ourselves off of the familiar salt hook? Now, there are tributes remnant of a saltier times. They come with names like salt cellars, salts and salt shakers. Made of sterling, pewter, cut crystal and blown glass. We sell hundreds each year to the wandering, voracious collectors. Those who may well have given up on collecting the occasional antique stove or anvil and have turned to a more portable, less arduous category. For we who are the purveyors of such, consider these collectors the very pillars of the industry. For they are among the few that continue in the traditions of old and in their own small way keep the torch lit for at least one more generation.

Replica vs. Reproduction?

Which would you rather have, a replica or a reproduction? In fact, what is the difference and why would one prefer one over the other? Well, in my usual, pliable and oft safe, answer…it depends…I am, in this case, being advisedly cautious. When referring to furniture, especially the broadly and overused classification of reproduction furniture, there exists those who choose one, yet receive another.

To reproduce a piece of Early American Furniture serves the majority as a far more functional option. To narrowly adhere to the needed confines of a replica may well overlook a more, modern functionality. The deeper drawer, a wider table or pine verses chestnut just to mention a few. Then there is the constraint of acceptable cost associated with the careful attention to detail. The chamfered drawer, the hand cut dovetail and the hardwood peg. The thought of a replica is enough for most and hardly achievable for the lofty standards of a few. But, they both play an important role in the preservation of an historic trend here in America.

Many simply prefer what appears to be as well as what is accessible and affordable. Well, that is: Especially when they are on sale!!! The upward leap from reproduction to replica can be a mighty one especially for a frugal Yankee like me. Likewise, the step down can be just as unacceptable and unthinkable. However, for the upper 2%, anything less than authentic could cause a permanent case of disorientation and render them a recluse. Well, “to each his own I say!” Just be sure to call us when you decide to join the ranks of the happy, reproduction owning cast of millions. Because that’s what we do and we’re darn good at it!