Jaipur Rugs, an Indian handmade rug manufacturer, has collaborated with designer Peter D’Ascoli to create the Gilded Age collection, a range of seven hand-knotted rug designs ‘inspired by the opulence of Hollywood Regency and the timeless charm of pre-war Parisian flea markets’.
Using Bikaner wool, D’Ascoli’s designs incorporate chintz florals, wild cat patterns, paisleys, and neoclassical motifs, with each design available in multiple colourways.
D’Ascoli said: ‘I adore heritage, cultural diversity, and quality handcrafted products, so for me, our new Gilded Age collection of hand-knotted rugs created with Jaipur Rugs is tremendously exciting.
‘A significant influence on my aesthetic development early in my career was a meeting with the iconic collector, decorator, and antique dealer, Madeleine Castaing. We met at her Paris boutique and then wandered around the corner to one of her legendary storerooms, filled with furniture, objects, rugs, and fabrics all arranged in vignettes, covered in dust as if time had stood still. Our Gilded Age rug collection is, in a sense, a homage to her refined taste.’
Greg Foster, artistic director at Jaipur Rugs, added: ‘This collaboration has been particularly exciting from the perspective of our artisans because the carpets cleverly blend references to traditional Indian rug designs with Peter’s global perspective on decoration.
‘The weavers we work with love the familiarity of Peter’s patterns, but were delighted by the jewel-like colours and surprise borders, such as the leopard print.
‘There is a sensitive fusion of cultures that has excited everyone involved in the project. Peter is not just a designer but also an authority on textile design, and we have all appreciated his research-based approach. It’s been a pleasure to work with Peter and observe him collaborating closely with our community.’
