Hi Mary,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

A Nizam rug refers to a type of carpet woven in India during the 19th and early 20th century, primarily in Hyderabad under the patronage of the Nizams (the rulers of the Hyderabad state). The Nizams of Hyderabad (the Muslim dynasty that ruled from the 18th century until India’s independence) were great patrons of the arts. They commissioned rugs both for their palaces and for export. Nizam rugs often imitate Persian patterns, especially those of Tabriz, Isfahan, and Kashan, since Persian court styles were considered prestigious. Motifs often included medallions, floral arabesques, palmettes, and vine-scroll borders. They were usually made of fine wool, sometimes with silk highlights, and had a high knot density compared to most other Indian rugs of the period.

These rugs were usually quite costly to purchase new and, for the most part, do not retain more than a fraction of that value when being sold at auction...the few I've found of comparable size and age that have been offered at auction all sold for less than $1,000.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A vintage hand woven wool Nizam rug
made in India, retailed or imported by Pande Cameron, New York, second-half 20th Century
The center densely populated with a foliate ground, within a brick-red border with floral and geometric elements. Labeled to the verso.
99 by 125 inches (8 feet 3 inches by 10 feet 5 inches)
CONDITION: This rug appears to be in good condition; value assumes no tears, repairs, odors or stains.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$500-700*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia