During his whole life, Glasgow shipping magnate Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) acquired some 200 European, mainly medieval, tapestries, building one of the largest and most important collections of its kind in the world. Over a period of 60 years, he and his wife Constance extensively decorated their homes with tapestries hung or mounted on the walls. Examples of these works are currently on show in 'Burrell at Kelvingrove: Tapestries; giving the public a rare opportunity to see medieval and Renaissance works from circa 1350-1725, including two which have not been on public display since 1901. The display is a benchmark for future research and interpretation of tapestries of the period. The exhibition follows the publication of the volume Tapestries from the Burrell Collection, a comprehensive and richly illustrated catalogue of the whole collection. Although cataloguing first began in the 1940s, it was not until 2008 that the work could be resumed in full by a team of experts from the museum and the University of Glasgow, who photographed and assessed the collection of all 200 tapestries, but also researched the provenance and exhibition histories of each piece. The third instalment of Sotheby's Rugs & Carpets sale in London covers a wide range of collecting areas. The sale is championed by twenty-two works from the renowned collection of architect and theorist Christopher Alexander. Of these colourful, archaic pieces the most recognizable perhaps is the fabled so-called Pink Panther. Also included are classical rugs and carpets from a North American collector.

An exhibition of Kum Kapi rugs from the Arkas Collection opened on the 5th October 2017 at the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum (TIEM) in Istanbul, as part of the 2nd annual Istanbul Carpet Week organised by Istanbul Carpet Exporters'Association (IHIB). Showcasing 32 fine Kum Kapi rugs by masters like Hagop Kapoudjian, Zareh Penyamin, Tosunyan and Garabed Apelyan, woven between the 16th and 20th centuries, this is the first exhibition to focus on this subject and to draw international attention to the largest collection of Kum Kapi rugs in the world. The late British painter and print maker Sir Howard Hodgkin, whose wide ranging collection is to be auctioned by Sotheby's London on Tuesday 24th October 2017. Among his possessions are numerous fragments of Persian and Oriental carpets and rugs and textiles as well as European tapestries, almost all of them properly mounted.

We have until recently been dividing the rugs  between the two Oriental rug centre's. But we have now started to stock additional Antique rugs and carpets at the Staples corner warehouse in London's NW2. We have just received some new stock including a wonderful Antique Persian Sarouk rug size 2.03m x 1.35m, which is in great condition for its age and some magnificent Antique Persian Feraghan rugs. Skinners's Auction in Boston will be holding there fine Oriental rug and textile sale on 23rd October 2017. It features a private collection which includes a number of early Ottoman velvets and embroideries, early Chinese kesi and embroideries, and some first rate suzanis. there is also some outstanding Caucasian rugs and Persian Feraghan and Sarouk carpets, most of which come from estates and are unreserved.

We have reconfigured the Oriental rug warehouse at Staples corner London, this is to accommodate the new stock and make it easier for customers to view the huge selection of oriental rugs and carpets. We have even opened the largest carpets which were normally folded and difficult to view, but these super size carpets up to 6m x 4m can now be easily seen. We have just received a very unusual fine Persian Nain carpet size 3m x 2m, with a grey ground, please look at our social media outlets and website gallery to see this unusual carpet. www.orientalrugexperts.com

We have taken delivery of a large shipment of Oriental rugs and carpets including some wonderful Persian examples. The warehouse at London's Staples Corner is full of eastern promise, and with the expertise of David J.Wilkins Oriental rugs, we will assure you find that perfect Oriental rug for your home. And don't forget we are open from Monday to Saturday so please give us a call to discuss your requirements Tel:0207 722 7608 www.orientalrugexperts.com The Oriental rug and carpet trade shows are well underway, with shows in New York and La Pila Sartirana also Istanbul. The big auctions in London and Vienna will also be held from this month up until the New Year.

The Autumn Interior projects  seem to have started early, with London's Oriental rug and carpet market ending the summer with a flurry of activity. Maybe its due to August being some what cooler than normal. London's Oriental Rug Centre at Staples corner has great selection, with new stock expected very soon. David J.Wilkins Oriental rug experts is expecting a busy autumn and winter, with the trend leaning towards stronger colours and traditional Persian designs. Meanwhile across the pond The Keir Collection of Islamic Art Gallery opened at the Dallas Museum of Art on 18th April 2017, with a long term installation in a new purpose designed space dedicated to Islamic art. The new installation features more than 100 works from the Keir Collection, including a substantial number that have never previously been exhibited.

Its always a worry when your invited to a wedding, what are you going to buy them. In the old days it was items such as china and bed linen for the home, but in a modern world most couples have already set up house, and cash is so impersonal. So have a look at a Handmade Oriental rug, its a work of art that will truly last a life time and Persian rugs and carpets has been given as gifts by Kings and Queens for thousands of years. We at David J.Wilkins Oriental rug experts offer a personal service to our clients, showing them around London's importing warehouse with its vast selection of Oriental rugs and carpets at affordable prices. Whether you come and chose for your friends yourself, or why not call us to arrange a visit for them, and after there big day they can enjoy a couple of hours looking around the warehouse with one of our experts to guild them. www.orientalrugexperts.com

London's Oriental Rug Centre has received yet more stock of fine Oriental rugs and carpets from Persia (Iran), Afghanistan and other handmade rug and carpet weaving country's. Included in this shipment was a rare green Persian Mahi Tabriz carpet, size 3.05m x 1.97m, you can see a photo of this magnificent carpet on all our social media, and on Gallery 1 on our website. www.orientalrugexperts.com

There has been a surge in tourists and consumers coming to London due to the post Brexit depreciation of the pound, with the leisure industry such as hotels benefiting the most. But these visitors like to shop and have found post Brexit London great value, the pound's depreciation remaining more than 15% below its peak in late 2015. And so London's Oriental rug and carpet dealers are seeing a upward movement in export sales, and now the US embargo has been lifted, particularly to the US. David J.Wilkins Oriental rug experts has seen increased sales to the US, particularly in the high end Persian market such as Nain, Isfahan, Kashan and Tabriz. With the pound likely to remain weak for some time bargains can be found from London's Oriental rug dealers, but do your home work and chose a reputable dealer. www.orientalrugexperts.com

The Arts & Antique fair at London's Olympia 27th June-2nd July 2017 will be celebrating its 45th anniversary. showcasing 160 of the worlds leading specialist dealers, visitors will be able to see a diversity of periods and styles crossing a variety of disciplines, with over 55,000 pieces to chose from. Their will inevitable be a selection of Oriental rug and carpet dealers from the higher end of the trade, with prices to match. there will be host speakers from Leighton House Museum, TATE and the British Museum London. The second Georgian International Carpet Festival will take place 28th June-2 July 2017. On the first two days, participants will be taken to various sites in Tbilisi and the historic town of Mtskheta, before heading to the impressive Medieval fortress of Rabati in the scenic Samtkhe-Javakheti region. The event aims to increase awareness of the importance of rug production, in Georgia and beyond.