Antique Donegal Carpets, woven in the town of Killybegs, County Donegal, from the 1890s onwards, represent some of the most unique and highly sought-after European weavings – originally, a Western interpretation of earlier Turkish Oushak carpets, incorporating a wide array of design elements borrowed from both the Arts and Crafts movement and traditional Celtic art. These pieces are also known for their remarkably high quality, thanks to the centuries-old tradition of wool-working belonging to the people of Donegal – early examples can be found in places as prestigious as Dublin Castle, the University of Notre Dame, and the US Whitehouse.

This piece, dating to the turn of the last century, features a wonderfully open, elegant composition, combining designs from 19th Century Oushak carpets with simplified motifs from Arts and Crafts textiles by designers like Willian Morris and C.F.A. Voysey. The rare ivory field forms a great backdrop to the graphic all-over drawing, in tones of terracotta, saffron and cornflower, framed by a wide border of great proportions.

This Arts & Crafts carpets is in very good practical condition for everyday use, with a subtle age-related patina to its vegetable dyed colours and lustrous wool.

A stylish example in a rare square format, with the versatility to complement a either a classic or contemporary space.