Object Description
With an 18th century Turkish Ushak design this beautiful Donegal carpet was woven in Killybegs town in Ireland around 1920-1930. Deep reds, purple hue blues, yellows and pinks combine to create a classical square antique carpet. Well designed and in very good original condition.
The first Donegal carpets were made in the late 1890s when the Scottish industrialist, Alexander Morton, opened a factory in Killybegs. Morton was head of a textile manufacturing firm in Ayrshire. Although his factories already made machine-woven rugs, he wanted to make handmade carpets like those popular from Turkey and Persia. A chance meeting with a member of Ireland’s Congested Districts Board pointed him towards Donegal. The county had two things to offer: a ready supply of willing workers and an almost infinite number of sheep.
Please request a home visit to choose a suitable time and day to view this antique Donegal carpet in-situ. We offer the service of viewing any of our carpets & rugs in-situ in London, Surrey, Hampshire & anywhere else in the UK by appointment.