9' x 12' 3" Chinese Art Deco pattern Anglo-Persian Whittall Wilton Rug (Circa 1918 - 1924).

Picture 1

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The rug featured here is a genuine Whittall wilton rug made in their best quality weave, the anglo-persian.

The Whittall's moved from England in 1880 to Worcestor, Mass. where they opened their mill in a very small building resembling a school house.

They enjoyed most of their success from that time until the great depression and again for the decade following World War 2. The mill and the quality of their goods stood the test of time and remained in business until the late 1950s. Many of their wonderful rugs remain in good condition today, after 75 to 100 years of use, a true testament to the pride and quality of the guilded age of the industrial revolution.

Whittall is considered the most recognized name in wilton floor covering. At the height of their empire, they rivaled the success and fortunes of J. P. Morgan. Their highest quality weave, the most superior quality of the entire industry, was established as a household name and their famous "anglo-persian" rugs the envy of every other rug weaving mill in the world.

All Whittall productions were made from imported wools -- because this particular kind of wool is the toughest, strongest and most resilient in the worlds and gives the greatest wear. Every detail of Whittall manufacture measures up to the highest standard.

An army of experts, wide-awake and up-to-date is required to make the raw wool into the finished fabric -- sorting and blending, scouring, drying, preparing, carding or combing, spinning, skeining, scouring again, dyeing, dye-testing, designing, card cutting, weaving, shearing, finishing -- the success of each process assured by the use of the finest machinery and the most efficient of help.

An army of experts, wide-awake and up-to-date is required to make the raw wool into the finished fabric -- sorting and blending, scouring, drying, preparing, carding or combing, spinning, skeining, scouring again, dyeing, dye-testing, designing, card cutting, weaving, shearing, finishing -- the success of each process assured by the use of the finest machinery and the most efficient of help.

The WHITTALL trademark is woven into the back of the rug and is your gaurentee of the highest grade material and workmanship -- unequalled beauty and wear."

Although the original shown here is available, we recommend this pattern for reproduction on our historic wilton looms

CONDITION: The rug has an exceptional good consistent pile over the entire rug without any low/threadbare worn areas. The original fringe is intact and full on both ends, also without any wear of any kind. The rug is free of animal stains and odors. There is one small coffee or tea stain towards one side of the field.

CLEANING: This rug has been professionally hand cleaned by our own conservation team with a restorative thorough washing adhering to National Institute of Textiles and AIC (American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works) guidelines. The protein and lanolin based soap conditions the natural fibres in the rug and returns the original lustrous character and richness of colour to the wool. No steam extraction methods or chemical detergents were used during the cleaning process. Ever step possible was taken to preserve the historic nature and conserve the rugs condition.

We do not use ANY optical enhancers of any kind (natural or chemical). Optical enhancers damage and pull dye to the surface of the rug's fibres, slowly stripping colour and character from the wool as the rug continues to age. Beware of descriptions claiming use of such materials and harsh cleaning methods to "brighten, add a sheen, or antique wash" the rugs -- all these methods deteriorate and damage these wonderful vintage and antique pieces beyond repair.