Hey, do you like rugs? I mean, who doesn’t, right? They’re soft, and cozy, and can make any room look more stylish and inviting. But did you know that some rugs are worth more than a house, a car, or even a private jet? Yes, you heard me right. There are some rugs out there that are so rare, so beautiful, and so valuable that they can fetch millions of dollars at auctions. Don’t believe me? Well, buckle up, because I’m about to show you the 10 most expensive rugs in the world. Trust me, you’ll be amazed by these stunning pieces of art.
Ziegler Mahal Rug – $98,500
Let’s start with the cheapest one on the list, which is still pretty pricey for a rug. This is a Ziegler Mahal rug, made in Persia in the late 19th century. It has a large size of 19 ft. 6 in. x 13 ft. 6 in. and features a floral design with a red background and a blue border. Ziegler rugs are known for their high quality and durability, as well as their elegant and refined style. This one was sold by Sotheby’s in 2012 for $98,500, which is not bad for a rug that’s over 100 years old.
Safavid Carpet from the Safra Collection – $2.032 million
Next up, we have a Safavid carpet from the Safra collection, which was sold by Sotheby’s in 2005 for a whopping $2.032 million. This rug is from the 16th century, and it comes from East Persia. It has a size of 11 ft. 1 in. x 5 ft. 3 in. and it features a striking design with a central medallion, animal motifs, and floral patterns. The colors are vibrant, and the silk material is soft and shiny. This rug is a rare and exquisite example of Persian weaving artistry, and it belonged to the famous Brazilian banker Edmund Safra, who had a passion for collecting carpets.
Rothschild Tabriz Medallion Carpet – $2.4 million
Moving on, we have the Rothschild Tabriz Medallion Carpet, which was sold by Christie’s in 2015 for $2.4 million. This rug is from the 16th century, and it comes from Persia. It has a size of 20 ft. x 13 ft. 6 in., and it features a complex and intricate design with a large central medallion, smaller medallions, and various geometric and floral motifs. The colors are mainly red, blue, and gold, and the wool material is thick and dense. This rug is a masterpiece of Tabriz weaving, which is one of the most prestigious and influential traditions in Persian carpet making. It was previously owned by the Rothschild family, one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in history.
Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet – $4.406 million
Next, we have the Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet, which was sold by Christie’s in 2000 for $4.406 million. This rug is from the 18th century, and it comes from France. It has a size of 18 ft. 8 in. x 19 ft. 10 in., and it features a magnificent design with a blue orb with the royal arms of France, surrounded by floral garlands and scrolls. The colors are mainly blue, gold, and beige, and the wool material is soft and plush. This rug is a masterpiece of Savonnerie weaving, which was a royal workshop that produced carpets exclusively for the French monarchy and nobility. This rug was commissioned by King Louis XV, and it was intended to decorate the Palace of Versailles.
Silk Isfahan Rug – $4.45 million
Moving on, we have the Silk Isfahan Rug, which was sold by Christie’s in 2008 for $4.45 million. This rug is from the 17th century, and it comes from Persia. It has a size of 7 ft. 5 in. x 5 ft. 7 in. and it features a stunning design with a central medallion, corner spandrels, and floral and animal motifs. The colors are mainly red, blue, and green, and the silk material is fine and delicate. This rug is a masterpiece of Isfahan weaving, which was a center of artistic and cultural excellence in Persia. This rug was previously owned by Doris Duke, an American heiress and philanthropist, who bought it in 1990.
The Pearl Carpet of Baroda – $5.458 million
Next, we have the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, which was sold by Sotheby’s in 2009 for $5.458 million. This rug is from the 19th century, and it comes from India. It has a size of 8 ft. 8 in. x 6 ft., and it features a dazzling design with pearls, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. The colors are mainly white, red, and blue, and the silk material is embellished with metal threads. This rug is a masterpiece of Indian craftsmanship, and it was commissioned by the Maharaja of Baroda, who wanted to offer it as a gift to the tomb of Prophet Muhammad in Medina. However, the rug never reached its destination, and it remained in the Maharaja’s palace until it was auctioned.
Mughal Star Lattice Carpet – $7.786 million
Moving on, we have the Mughal Star Lattice Carpet, which was sold by Christie’s in 2013 for $7.786 million. This rug is from the 18th century, and it comes from India. It has a size of 22 ft. 6 in. x 12 ft. 10 in., and it features a spectacular design with a star lattice pattern, floral motifs, and a wide border. The colors are mainly red, blue, and yellow, and the wool material is thick and soft. This rug is a masterpiece of Mughal weaving, which was a dynasty that ruled India from the 16th to the 19th century, and that fostered a golden age of art and culture. This rug was previously owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, an American businessman and member of the prominent Vanderbilt family.
Kirman Vase Carpet – $9.599 million
Next, we have the Kirman Vase Carpet, which was sold by Christie’s in 2010 for $9.599 million. This rug is from the 17th century, and it comes from Persia. It has a size of 13 ft. 6 in. x 8 ft. 4 in., and it features a splendid design with vase motifs, floral patterns, and a dark blue border. The colors are mainly red, blue, and beige, and the wool material is fine and smooth. This rug is a masterpiece of Kirman weaving, which was a city in southern Persia that produced some of the finest and most sought-after carpets in the world. This rug is one of the rarest and best-preserved examples of the vase technique, which involves the use of vases as a symbol of abundance and fertility.
The Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet – $33.765 million
Moving on, we have the Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet, which was sold by Sotheby’s in 2013 for a staggering $33.765 million. This rug is from the 17th century, and it comes from Persia. It has a size of 8 ft. 9 in. x 6 ft. 5 in., and it features a marvelous design with sickle-shaped leaves, palmettes, and vines. The colors are mainly red, black, and gold, and the silk material is thin and shiny. This rug is a masterpiece of Persian weaving, and it is considered one of the most important carpets in the world. It was previously owned by William A. Clark, an American industrialist and senator, who had a vast collection of art and antiques.
The Bayeux Tapestry – Priceless
Finally, we have the Bayeux Tapestry, which is not technically a rug, but a woven cloth that depicts the events of the Norman conquest of England in 1066. It has a length of 230 ft. and a height of 20 in., and it features a narrative design with scenes of battles, ceremonies, and legends. The colors are mainly red, blue, green, and yellow, and the wool material is embroidered with linen. This tapestry is a masterpiece of medieval art, and it is one of the most famous and valuable historical artifacts in the world. It is currently displayed at the Bayeux Museum in France, and it is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is impossible to estimate its price, as it is not for sale, and it is priceless.
So, there you have it, the 10 most expensive rugs in the world. I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about these amazing pieces of art. Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends who love rugs. Thanks for reading, and see you next time.
