A Donegal Carpet, Killybegs, Ireland, Early 20th Century

Sotheby's London, 30 March 2022, lot 170

The previous owner of this carpet inherited it from his father, an antique restorer, who some 40-odd years ago was commissioned to work on some damaged library panelling for a client. In the course of the restoration he discovered a sealed room in which the carpet had been stored, probably for at least 50 years, which explains its exceptional condition with an extraordinary full pile. Ian Irving has has since had it professionally cleaned by S. Franses, London.