Antique French Savonnerie rugs exemplify the formal grace and elegance of classical European design. Savonneries originated in France when European taste turned away for a time from Oriental carpets in the later eighteenth and earlier nineteenth centuries. The production of Savonnerie rugs declined in the latter half of the eighteenth century, until 1805 when the designs were revived by Napoleon,
During the Islamic occupation of the eleventh century, Medieval Spain was the first European country to make knotted pile rugs.
Tabriz carpets are distinguished by their excellent weave and by their remarkable adherence to the classical traditions of Persian rug design. The city of Tabriz, was the earliest capital of the Safavid dynasty.
One of the most important figures in Tabriz rug making was the master weaver Haji Jalili and best known today for his incredible and unique approach to rug-making and his preference for distinctive color palettes and design elements. Haji Jalili is especially known for mixing lighter colors -- such as pinks, golds and grays -- into the design of his rugs.
