Mughal ‘Star Lattice’ Carpet
It's no surprise that a carpet from the Far East has become one of the most valuable carpets in the world. At a Christie's auction in 2013, this 18th century North Indian rug sold for more than £4.7 million, much above its estimate.
Mughal ‘Star Lattice’ Carpet was initially owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a well-known socialite and businessman, and, like practically every other object listed in this site, it has had several owners throughout the years. However, the winning bidder, who was in a close battle with another bidder, has chosen to stay nameless.
The crimson field of the Pashmina-wool carpet is framed by symmetrical arrays of pink, yellow, white, and blue jasmine and lotus blooms in a golden latticework arrangement of stars. It has just minor evidence of wear and tear, which had little bearing on the final sale price. Scholars and experts have dubbed the Mughal ‘Star Lattice’ Carpet "the most magnificent of all ornamental carpets," and properly so, being one of just 12 Millefleur (French for "a thousand flowers") carpets known to exist at the time.
Cost: 4.7 million
