WHO WE ARE  (page 1 of 15)

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT OUR CARPETS ~1~

Classical Carpets, led by the San Francisco Bay Area architect Christopher Robin Andrews, is dedicated to reviving the antique carpet designs of Anatolia, some of the rarest and most celebrated carpets in the world, patterns that have been lost to the new carpet market since the 17th century.  

“The antique originals of these carpets are extremely rare, they are displayed in the world's finest museums and art collections.  You won’t ever see these carpets on the floor, they are too valuable!” says Chris.  “But the colors and patterns are so striking and beautiful, we felt they deserved a revival”. 

This rebirth corresponds with current trends in interior design and fashion, with the movement back to texture, strong colors and traditional intricate patterns.

In the last few decades, there has been a resurgence in the art of making carpets using handspun, naturally dyed wool. Sparked by the work of chemist Harald Böhmer and the DOBAG village weaving project in Turkey, designers and weavers are again using traditional design and natural materials.  Classical Carpets has joined this movement with its collection of carpets inspired by Anatolian masterpieces--including the patterns called Lottos and Holbeins, which are named after the Renaissance painters that were so struck by these rugs that were traded through Europe, they put them at the center of their portraits and religious paintings.  

“Here we have these 15th and 16th century paintings, of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus, sitting on carpets that were imported from the Islamic world.  It shows a cross cultural richness that has a lot to teach us.”

~To who we are~next (page 2)~

FAQ's

~How did Classical Carpets get started?~

~How do we create our designs?~

~Are our designs old or new?~

~Why do we use such intense, saturated dye colors?~

~What is the importance of the finishing details?~

~How does our company work?~

~Back to catalog~

~Purchase a carpet~