The Pearl Carpet is said to measure approximately 5'8" x 8'8" and was valued at Rs 6,000,000 140 years ago (by current exchange rate ~$120,000 USD in 1865*) according to Tribune India**

The Carpet will be going to auction at Sotheby's Doha Qatar on March 19th, 2009 with a starting bid of $5,000,000.00 USD. Made in India with hundreds of rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and an estimated 1,400,000+ Basra pearls, the carpet is expected to sell significantly higher than the starting bid.

The Pearl Carpet of Baroda

Sapphires an Rubies in Gold

Diamond Bezel

Diamond and Gold Pearl Carpet

Detail Image Pearl Carpet of Baroda

Pearl Carpet Border

Corner Detail

Historical Indian Pearl Carpet

Also Check out TOP TEN Rugs and Carpets of 2008

Sources:

Sothebys.com

**http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020818/spectrum/heritage.htm

Images and content in this entry may not be used without explicit written consent from RugRag.com. We may provide non-watermarked photographs upon request.

*We were unable to find the Rupees to USD exchange rate in 1865. The exchange rate we used is based on current exchange rates as of 2/24/09.

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Posted on February 24, 2009
Read more about: Current Features

SignaturesKermani, O.C.M, Atiyeh, Milani, Serafian, Amoghli, Saber, Costikyan, Constantian, Dilmaghani, Ghazan...The Pearl Carpet of Baroda: Perhaps the Next Most Expensive Carpet?This March 19th, 2009, Sotheby's Doha is going to be auctioning off what we believe to be the highes...Rare Important Investment Level Pearl Carpet of BarodaIncredibly Rare and Unique opportunity: The Pearl Carpet of Baroda. Millions of Basra Pearls, hundr...

Comments

February 25. 2009 12:19

Beautiful rug. The first time I saw this.

Finezza

February 25. 2009 17:13

Just look at the detail work, this is unreal! cool blog, 5 stars

Mindy

February 26. 2009 00:52

it's so small but precious none the less!

Tynkr

February 27. 2009 19:21

Tynkr, the rug is SIX FEET by SEVEN FEET. I don't think i've ever heard of anything made entirely of precious stones that was bigger.

It absolutely rocks.... just imagine standing barefoot on it, just for a minute, and feeling all those diamonds and rubies beneath your feet...

February 27. 2009 19:39

Hi LM,

I agree, this is quite an example. Relatively speaking, I think the size is pretty large considering the elements.

There was a carpet said to have been made long ago called the 'Garden Carpet of Khosro I', sometimes referenced as the 'Spring of Khosrow Carpet'. It is said to have been worth $200+ million by today's currency. We've read different reference to size of the carpet, one stating 450' x 90', and one of 90' x 90'. Either way, it was a gigantic carpet said to be embroidered with many precious stones, jewels and gold.

Legend has it the carpet was seized by Arabs and cut up into nearly 6,000 pieces to be sold individually by soldiers after the fall of the Persian Empire.

Here is one reference of the carpet:

http://www.jstor.org/pss/859312

David

February 28. 2009 15:33

I don't know if I've ever seen a piece of work this beautiful. It belongs in a museum so people can enjoy. I am amazed at it's beauty and "things" don't really impress me that much. Wonderful.

debbie

March 3. 2009 04:43

It is amazing to view the magnificiant display.It is very rare to see now a days,worth prasing the antiquity.

b k patel

March 5. 2009 02:28

Truly spectacular. Stellar work quality and attention to detail not seen in handicraft for ages. If treated correctly this rug will last an eternity.

Elesdee

March 6. 2009 01:35

how wast full. sad

skinny puppy

March 6. 2009 17:16

The carpet is truly a work of art. Hopefully no one ever steps foot upon it. Things like this should be wall hangings. Absolutely stunning.

Betty Jane

March 6. 2009 18:34

Hi Betty,

Agreed! it really is stunning.

Looking at the top photo, seems as though the carpet was intended for horizontal orientation. The design is slightly different on the left hand side.

All the best,

David

March 17. 2009 21:42

This rug is a symbol of elegance and old world craftsmanship. In the 21century our young people today do not have many master artisans to create such a work of art. Yet I recently visited a website call pnadre.com were they created wall jewlery that was just gorgeous, and i hear they are going to created jeweled mosaic floor rugs. I know they won't be selling for 20 million dollars.

Some people are not participating in this economic stage.

I'm not
Shine

Shine Marie

March 19. 2009 21:38

Cool blog!

Jaime

March 20. 2009 03:10

I would like to put that carpet in my piggery.

farmer

March 20. 2009 18:04

This carpet was made to be sent to Medinah in Saudi Arabia to be used as a cover for the prophet Muhammad's tomb. It is indeed an amazing work of art.

March 21. 2009 16:13

That is a seriously impressive rug, although slightly out of my price range, I think I would be nervous to stand on it...

Modern Rugs

March 23. 2009 06:28

wowwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 22. 2009 16:12

spell-bindingly beautiful. I could stare at it all day.

sid

August 16. 2009 20:42

it is one of the exquisite pieces of art ever created in the history of mankind...incredibly amazing it looks, though it carries cabochon gems!

Vikram B

Detail Images of Pearl Carpet of Baroda: Rare Carpet to be Auctioned

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