Textiles: Antique Fabrics, Tapestries, Quilts & Woven Arts
Antique textiles encompass an extraordinarily broad collecting field, from medieval European tapestries and Persian carpets to American quilts, Chinese silk embroideries, Navajo weavings, and Victorian lace. As one of humanity's oldest art forms, textile production developed independently across virtually every culture, creating a diverse global tradition of weaving, embroidery, dyeing, and printing. The fragility of fiber makes surviving early textiles exceptionally rare, while the beauty and craftsmanship of the finest examples place them among the most significant works of decorative art.
Major Categories
- Tapestries: Woven pictorial hangings from European workshops including Gobelins, Aubusson, Beauvais, and Flemish ateliers
- Oriental Rugs & Carpets: Persian, Turkish, Caucasian, and Central Asian pile and flatweave rugs
- Quilts: American patchwork, applique, and whole-cloth quilts from the 18th-20th centuries
- Samplers: Needlework practice pieces featuring alphabets, verses, and pictorial motifs, primarily 18th-19th century
- Embroidery: Silk embroideries, crewelwork, stumpwork, and whitework from various traditions
- Lace: Handmade bobbin and needle lace from Brussels, Venice, Honiton, and other centers
- Printed Textiles: Block-printed, copperplate, and roller-printed fabrics including toile de Jouy
- Navajo Textiles: Woven blankets and rugs including Chief's blankets, Germantown yarns, and regional styles
- Paisley Shawls: Woven and printed shawls from Kashmir, Scotland, and France
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Victorian lace pieces | $20 - $300 |
| American quilts (common patterns) | $100 - $500 |
| American quilts (fine/early) | $500 - $10,000+ |
| Needlework samplers (19th c.) | $200 - $2,000 |
| Needlework samplers (18th c., pictorial) | $2,000 - $50,000+ |
| Paisley shawls (printed) | $100 - $500 |
| Kashmir shawls (hand-woven) | $500 - $5,000 |
| Aubusson tapestries | $2,000 - $30,000 |
| Flemish/Gobelins tapestries | $5,000 - $500,000+ |
| Navajo Chief's blankets | $5,000 - $1,500,000+ |
| Chinese silk embroideries | $200 - $10,000 |
Condition Factors
Textile condition is assessed by examining fiber integrity, color retention, and structural soundness. Fading from light exposure is the most common damage and is irreversible. Insect damage (moths, carpet beetles) creates characteristic holes and fiber loss. Staining from water, food, or storage can be difficult or impossible to remove without risking further damage. Repairs should be evaluated: period repairs may be acceptable, while modern conservation should be reversible. Quilts should be examined for fabric deterioration, particularly in silks and early synthetic dyes that degrade the fiber. Fraying edges and selvedge damage are expected on tapestries.
Collecting Tips
Storage and display are critical for textile preservation. Store flat or rolled (never folded) in acid-free tissue, away from light and moisture. Display textiles behind UV-filtering glass or acrylic. American quilts from the 18th and early 19th centuries are genuinely rare; most "antique" quilts date from 1870-1930. Navajo textiles require specialist knowledge; first-phase Chief's blankets are among the most valuable American textiles ever sold. Tapestries offer extraordinary decorator impact at relatively accessible prices compared to paintings of similar scale and age. Samplers with identified makers, dates, and locations are most valuable. Regional textile traditions (Pennsylvania German, Hawaiian, Amish) have dedicated collector bases. Authentication of early textiles may require fiber analysis and dye testing.