Joshua Lumley Ltd, Antique Rugs, Carpets, Kilims, Tapestries, Swedish rugs

Fine Rugs and Tapestries
antique and 20th century

A good rug can have a transformative effect on a room, bringing colour, texture and warmth to an interior space.    The right rug will feel immediately at home, as though it's always been there.    I am constantly searching for beautiful rugs, kilims and tapestries in this country and abroad and add new pieces to my stock every week.    I buy all sorts of rugs, from diverse weaving cultures, and aim to offer unusual and original things as well as the more tried-and-tested types.   I also like the patination that comes with age and use, and many of my rugs are naturally worn.   All, however, have been expertly cleaned and conserved, ready for the next chapter...

 

I started working with rugs in 1993 at Bonhams Auctioneers, first as a porter and then as a junior cataloguer, before spending seven years as a rug valuer and expert at Phillips and then Sotheby's.    I set up my own business in 2004, based at home in Kent, and love my work, working closely with leading interior designers and private clients, and helping find carpets and tapestries for beautiful houses all over the country and abroad.

 

I am a regular exhibitor at The Decorative Fair, held three times a year in Battersea Park.    Please contact me if you would like an invitation to the next show, or indeed if you would like to visit me in Kent.   I may also be able to bring rugs to your home for you to try in situ....please ask, and if I can make it happen, I will.

  • June 2025 highlights

    • Aubusson Verdure Tapestry, France 286cm (drop) x 154cm (across) 1st half 18th century
      Aubusson Verdure Tapestry, France
      286cm (drop) x 154cm (across)
      1st half 18th century
    • Amritsar carpet, India 385 x 310cm late 19th century
      Amritsar carpet, India
      385 x 310cm
      late 19th century
    • Ushak carpet, Anatolia 381 x 289cm late 19th century
      Ushak carpet, Anatolia
      381 x 289cm
      late 19th century
    • Heriz carpet, Persia 386 x 291cm 1890 - 1910
      Heriz carpet, Persia
      386 x 291cm
      1890 - 1910
    • Heriz Serapi carpet, Persia 612 x 375cm circa 1880
      Heriz Serapi carpet, Persia
      612 x 375cm
      circa 1880
    • pair of Bakshaish runners, Persia each approximately 510 x 110cm circa 1880
      pair of Bakshaish runners, Persia
      each approximately 510 x 110cm
      circa 1880
    • Aubusson Verdure Tapestry, France 276cm (drop) x 206cm (across) 1st half 18th century
      Aubusson Verdure Tapestry, France
      276cm (drop) x 206cm (across)
      1st half 18th century
    • Heriz Karadja carpet, Persia 390 x 294cm late 19th century
      Heriz Karadja carpet, Persia
      390 x 294cm
      late 19th century
    • Flemish Tapestry fragment 73 x 56cm 17th century
      Flemish Tapestry fragment
      73 x 56cm
      17th century
    • Kente textile, Ghana 305 x 190cm 1st half 20th century
      Kente textile, Ghana
      305 x 190cm
      1st half 20th century
    • Swedish Rya rug 206 x 133cm 1960s
      Swedish Rya rug
      206 x 133cm
      1960s
    • Swedish flatwoven rug by Anna Greta Sjökvist 218 x 143cm signed AGS. Circa 1960.
      Swedish flatwoven rug by Anna Greta Sjökvist
      218 x 143cm
      signed AGS. Circa 1960.
    • Heriz Serapi carpet, Persia 358 x 287cm late 19th century
      Heriz Serapi carpet, Persia
      358 x 287cm
      late 19th century
    • Heriz carpet, Persia 375 x 277cm 1890 - 1910
      Heriz carpet, Persia
      375 x 277cm
      1890 - 1910
    • Bakshaish carpet, Persia 550 x 336cm circa 1870
      Bakshaish carpet, Persia
      550 x 336cm
      circa 1870
    • Ushak carpet, Anatolia 488 x 387cm late 19th century
      Ushak carpet, Anatolia
      488 x 387cm
      late 19th century
    • Ziegler carpet, Persia 545 x 280cm circa 1880
      Ziegler carpet, Persia
      545 x 280cm
      circa 1880
    • Beni Ourain carpet, Morocco 323 x 191cm circa 1950
      Beni Ourain carpet, Morocco
      323 x 191cm
      circa 1950
    • Abstract carpet 305 x 250cm approximately contemporary
      Abstract carpet
      305 x 250cm approximately
      contemporary
    • narrow North West Persian runner 406 x 66cm late 19th century
      narrow North West Persian runner
      406 x 66cm
      late 19th century
    • silk Ikat, Uzbekistan, mounted on a frame 190 x 147cm late 19th century
      silk Ikat, Uzbekistan, mounted on a frame
      190 x 147cm
      late 19th century
    • French piled carpet by Jules Leleu 301 x 199cm circa 1950
      French piled carpet by Jules Leleu
      301 x 199cm
      circa 1950
    • Hungarian tapestry rug by Eva Nemeth 97 x 84cm circa 1950 - 1970, signed NE
      Hungarian tapestry rug by Eva Nemeth
      97 x 84cm
      circa 1950 - 1970, signed NE
    • Ningxia rug, China 160 x 83cm late 18th century
      Ningxia rug, China
      160 x 83cm
      late 18th century
    • Slavic flat woven rug, Poland or The Ukraine 228 x 158cm circa 1960 - 1970
      Slavic flat woven rug, Poland or The Ukraine
      228 x 158cm
      circa 1960 - 1970
    • Swedish flat woven rug by Birgitta Södergren 243 x 163cm circa 1960 - 1970 Signed BS in one corner
      Swedish flat woven rug by Birgitta Södergren
      243 x 163cm
      circa 1960 - 1970
      Signed BS in one corner
    • Ziegler Mahal carpet, Persia 380 x 290cm late 19th century
      Ziegler Mahal carpet, Persia
      380 x 290cm
      late 19th century
    • pair of Karabagh runners, the Caucasus each approximately 470 x 100cm late 19th century
      pair of Karabagh runners, the Caucasus
      each approximately 470 x 100cm
      late 19th century
    • Aubusson Verdure Tapestry, France 288 (across) x 185cm (drop) 1st half 18th century
      Aubusson Verdure Tapestry, France
      288 (across) x 185cm (drop)
      1st half 18th century
    • Kurdish Gallery carpet, Persia 380 x 176cm 19th century
      Kurdish Gallery carpet, Persia
      380 x 176cm
      19th century
    • Spanish Cuenca carpet 321 x 341cm circa 1930
      Spanish Cuenca carpet
      321 x 341cm
      circa 1930
    • South Caucasian long rug 275 x 119cm 1850-1875
      South Caucasian long rug
      275 x 119cm
      1850-1875
    • Karabagh runner, the Caucasus 414 x 111cm (reduced in length) late 19th century
      Karabagh runner, the Caucasus
      414 x 111cm (reduced in length)
      late 19th century