Carpet expected to sell for over £1 million

An Iranian silk carpet that is 400 years old is expected to sell at auction in London for between £1 million to £1.5 million.

The carpet was once owned by the Rothschild family and was made in the 16th or early 17th century in Persia. Carl von Rothschild, part of the Rothschild banking family, owned the carpet in the 19th century, and it still has the original label that confirms his ownership.

After von Rothschild died, the carpet was passed on to Adolphe von Rothschild. The carpet then left Rothschild ownership in 1968, when it was sold in Paris to a German family, which currently still owns the carpet. The family is now selling it in a London auction at Christie's.

The carpet is woven in silk with silver and gold thread. It is vibrantly coloured with an ornate foliage and arabesque pattern. In a statement, the Head of Carpets at Christie's London, Louise Broadhurst, said that the carpet is:

“A rare and remarkably well preserved survivor from the Golden Age of Safavid weaving.”

Carpets made in the Safavid period – between 1501 to 1736 – are highly attractive to collectors.

Carpets in Chester and North Wales properties cost considerably less than £1 million. For more modest budgets, a quality wool carpet is ideal to make a room feel warm, cosy and luxurious – and you don't have to worry about spills spoiling an expensive antique, as wool carpets are much easier to clean than delicate antique silk.