The Gentleman Magazine Issue 18 | December 2019 | Page 65

Karabagh Rug of European Influence, Armenia, Circa 1880, 2.25m x 1.27m, £3250 AARON NEJAD GALLERY Pair of Painted Wooden Figures, Depicting Soldiers at Ease, Gujarat, India, 19th century, £2400 AARON NEJAD GALLERY Gabbeh ‘Lion’ Rug, South Persia, Early 20th century, £3500 Fine Silk and Metal Thread Brocade, 1.70m x 0.65m, Qajar Period, 19th century, Persia, £850, OWEN PARRY CARPET RESTORATION STUDIO Held annually since 2011, the Fair is an important date for decorators, collectors, and discerning buyers looking for practical and decorative rugs and textiles to beautify their homes. Expert dealers offer items originating from Persia, India, China, Central Asia, Anatolia and the Caucasus, as well as from Europe, Africa and the Americas. Period works date to the early 20th century, ranging in price from around £500 to over £25,000. A selection of contemporary bespoke rugs can also be found. “In terms of material diversity”, says Aaron Nejad, Organiser, “this is the most eclectic fair we have presented so far. We’ve noted the current season’s commercial fabric designs are strongly influenced by ethnic and Eastern traditional patterns, such as ikats, suzanis and printed Indian cottons like kalamkari – at LARTA you can see the inspiration, and buy authentic period examples.” Special pieces at the Fair this year include an important textile by William Morris dating to 1878, in woollen doublecloth, woven at either the Queen Square or Merton Abbey workshop, offered by Anthony Hazledine; an exceptional silk-wefted rug woven by the nomadic Qashqai people of Persia, circa 1870, from Carpet Restoration Studio; and an 18th century mounted French silk-work embroidery on a vivid yellow silk ground, offered by European textile specialist Marilyn Garrow. www.larta.net The Gentleman Magazine | 65