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Art & Rugs Differently
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Wash & Repair Persian & Navajo Rugs

11/04/2022

Collection of Old Navajo Copper bracelets…1940’s-50’s!

$45-$75@

01/18/2021

Despite the times we continue to offer our carpet and rug services .

Our weavers have decades of experience and rank with some of the living international legends in the field of textile restoration and conservation.

The story of this antique Agra Carpet is fascinating....The owner is 93 years young and remembers playing on it as a child.Her Grandfather had
it custom woven between 1850 and 1880.

Many restorers and weavers turned the task down due to the extreme fineness of the weave and high knot count...Carpets such as these were woven for Royal families with no expenses spared.This gem found it's way to our master team.

The end had been corroded due to water damage and the 'rotten' wool had to be removed before the foundation was replaced and the pile of the carpet removed.

We want our team to carry on restoring and 'saving' as many of these textiles treasures as is possible.Besides honoring the tradition of being custodians,clean and healthy rugs and carpets enrich our lives.

If you have a carpet or rug,large or small that needs to be cleaned or restored please contact us for an online assessment.

01/15/2021

Himalayan hand-hammered vessel,pre 1900

I have long been fascinated by authentic utilitarian forms...I first saw them being used in remote villages and I was the the cause of much mirth when I began buying them.

They were all created by craftspeople for use by the villages.These forms often predate not only plastics but also the industrial revolution when mass fabrication of thin metal forms became possible.

In fact some villages told me they had even forgotten or did not remember who created some pieces at all.

The metal is plated and seamed with different techniques but all waterproof.The metals are extremely heavy and were often hand smelted.

The care and attention to detail and the importance of the object is alway beyond that of a interesting collectible...the patina and vibe is always visible.

I have been collecting rare and authentic forms,objects and textiles for most of my life and enjoy sharing the joy they offer

10/28/2020

Antique Copper Currency Form,Mbole People,Democratic Republic Congo

The Copper rich area on the left bank of the Zaire river (current DRC) has been mined historically to produce metal wealth for use and trade.

Blacksmiths would create utilitarian objects from raw high quality copper pieces..The universally accepted form of copper for trading included Janberrie Bracelets such as this example.These were worn on the arm to show means of payment and wealth. Ehuke and Diako Anklets which are the more well known circular forms were worn on the legs.

The historic long standing Bantu tradition of 'Lebola' or Bride Dowry (different terms are applicable) could be paid in numerous form including cattle or as in this case by copper currency form.

The Janberries and other circular forms, were placed in a small cubicle/room in the front of the house and used in the course of larger transactions.

What is of very great interest to me is the heavy patina and wear marks.This leads me to believe these currency forms could be a lot older than originally thought.They were not used everyday and it would take time to accumualte such a deep,rich patina.

The other fascinating is how they were made...There is a large amount of pure copper that would have been arduous to handle when very hot.

The form itself,the patina and the original and non-standardised method of creation all provide wonderful contrast in a modern home..In the context of modern art and our lives today when these forms are professionally based and presented they provide a lasting powerful,authentic and magical piece of art.

10/23/2020

Antique Iron Himalayan Well-Pot

In the 1990's I was lucky enough to find a small number of these one of a kind and exceedingly old Well-Pots on my travels in India.

I collected never to be seen again utilitarian objects of all types,filled my shipments to the brim and sent them to NYC where I offered them to collectors and admirers of beautiful,rare and unusual objects from my gallery & warehouse.

I found the idea of the creation of these metal pots with raw iron and hot rivets to be fascinating.Using ancient techniques,a metal worker with great skill had laboured to produce these vessels all for purely utilitarian purposes....The makers and users of these vessels would never have imagined that these same objects would one day be sought by collectors of the simple and authentic form half a world away.

They were created by hand with rudimentary and non-power tools.Without them water could not have been drawn from deep wells.This was before the days of plastic containers and access to water in homes.

The vessels were created to ensure survival and in that context I see deep and rough beauty full of integrity and great value.

10/21/2020

Buddhist Monk’s Bowl

Traditionally the begging or alms bowl was used in the daily lives of Buddhist monks.This practical object, used as a bowl in which to collect either food or money from generous people was tied to the monk's belt through the attached ring and which went wherever the monk travelled.

Begging bowls have an important symbolic significance associated with Buddha.

According legend, when Buddha was meditating beneath the Bodhi Tree, a young woman offered him a golden bowl filled with rice. He divided the rice into 49 portions, one for each day until he would be enlightened, and threw the precious bowl into the river.

This is an example of very well made antique bowl rich in detail and design with a deep rich patina and many signs of use.

I was lucky to acquire it many years ago from a collector of such rare,spiritual objects such as this bowl.I place it in my house for any vistor to eat from.

In a sense we are all beggars who rely on the Earth to sustain us.

10/19/2020

Sleek Mid-Century Settee before a moisturising polish and buff

10/14/2020

An old four legged Woman's Stool ( Men's Stools generally had three legs ) with a deep, rich patina and engraved/etched with detailed geometric forms.

Carved from a single block of wood one can clearly see this stool was carved without the use of power tools.The method of carving was therefore along traditional lines by an expert village artist.

The rich patina and age would make this a highly valued and prized stool by the Burkinabe being handed down from family member to member.The wood itself feels soft and smooth polished by the use of multi generational hands.

Women's Stools such as this one were generally used in work related activities.They were small enough to be carried easiy especially by the long necked handle with a head.

Besides being visually stunning I have long been fascinated by how my body aligns and finds a sense of gravity and center when I sit on a stool such as this...assuming an anatomically correct posture happens automatically!

Region of Origin: West Africa,Inland Niger Delta,Burkina Faso,Mouhoun River area

African Art Museum,Society of African Missions (SMA) has an interesting collection of Mouhoun River Stools

07/29/2020

An Antique Shirvan Rug ca 1880 - 1910 from Armenia,Caucasus Region....Hand woven,wool & natural dyes....The asymmetry of the design ( examine the shape & size of the four lozenge designs that float independently on the blue field & the latice work design on the light blue central medallion) indicate an earlier date in its creation as well as a sense of spontaneity and lack of what i call 'design by planning'

Looking forward to soak washing this lovely creation & bringing it back to its splendor...

04/30/2020

Be cautious & consider you're next move.....

04/17/2020

On a trip years ago through the remote Swat Valley,Pakistan this antique hand lacquered Spice Bowl found its way to me.

Rare and expensive spices were kept locked up in it.Full of beauty & with rare archtypal images engraved on its surface,I persevered in its acquisition and paid dearly for it...

Why do it?...Collect art & travel passionately,even recklessly....Because i feel alive when i do...i quote from the book Ikigai....The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life..

"This unity with the object that they reach in a state of flow takes on a special meaning in Japan,where according to Shintoism,forests,trees,and objects have a kami (spirit or god) within them"

Why collect beautiful Art?....Because to do so is my Ikigai..."happiness if always being busy"...I do what makes me feel alive to the max!!!

@ Planet Earth

02/20/2020

I am so pleased to share for the love of quality handmade rugs this magnificent antique Kurd - Senneh rug from the Persia of old...dense and fine it was created with the incredible dedication of a great weavers spirit.....Hand-knotted to last..and it has at least 125 years old and possibly much more it is electrifying to the touch...It needs a bubble bath & a little tlc but who doesnt😀

Come see it at TheUncommonFlea at 23rd February,ATX
@ Austin, Texas

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