Rugs and tapestries are featured in the 16th- to 19th-century decorative arts auctions. Among the items offered at auction are tapestries from the most renowned manufacturers (Aubusson, Gobelins, Beauvais) and production centers (Flanders, Brussels). Rugs are also well represented in these sales. Low-pile Aubusson rugs and Savonnerie rugs are featured alongside prayer rugs, tribal rugs, and factory-made rugs. While antique rugs are primarily collected for their historical and cultural value, tapestries are often appreciated for their artistic qualities. Hanging on collectors’ walls, their excellent state of preservation allows for a better appreciation of their composition and the subject matter depicted.

“The pieces I would truly love to appraise one day are carpets dating back to the 16th century, particularly Persian designs from the Safavid period, or those from India—and more specifically from the Mughal dynasty, beginning in 1528. Due to the fragility of their textile material, very few examples from this era have survived to the present day, and the vast majority are housed in museums. But I know that some also exist in private collections; I had the opportunity to see them up close when I ran a company specializing in the restoration of tapestries and antique rugs. In this unique setting, I was fortunate enough to work on some of them, notably at the Louvre, in Versailles, and at the Frick Collection in New York.”