Agra is Located in the Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, Agra is most widely recognized for the Taj Mahal, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s mausoleum for his third wife. Less widely known is that it has also been a large center for rug weaving since the 16th century. When Agra first became the Mughal capital in 1566, so too did it establish its presence as a rug weaving center. Production of fine rugs continued here through the decline of the Mughal empire in the 17th century after which most Agra rugs were categorized as Indo-Isfahan weavings. Although later rugs do derive patterns from their predecessors, the changing style of Agra carpets can be most clearly seen during the British rule of the 19th and 20th centuries. Production ceased after the 1920s but resumed again in more recent times.
Agra rugs are difficult to classify as they vary in size, design, and composition. Although they often exhibit open fields with smaller medallions and guards, they can also be woven with all-over designs. Similarly, the fields are usually composed of olive greens, blues, fawns, and tans, but can also be red or other colors. They are usually woven with wool, but can also be found with cotton. The older Mughal pieces are relatively rare (they are usually found in fragments or are resized and heavily restored) and as such are much more valuable. The weight of an Agra is one telling factor between Mughal Agras and the Agras from the 19th and 20th century; newer Agras are heavier.
The seeds of Tepp Team USA Inc. was planted in the Bazar of Tabriz, the center of finest Persian rugs, some 65 years ago. After 50 years of successfully exporting beautiful handwoven rugs to Europe and around the word, we decided to open our first wholesale establishment in the heart of midtown Manhattan, at 102 Madison Ave in New York City. We quickly became the destination address for procuring the finest rugs in America, specializing in the finest Tabriz Rugs as well as other fine Persian masterpieces. Then we moved our gallery to a larger facility in North Bergen, NJ to be able to better serve our clients. Presently, we carry a large number of unique Persian masterpieces as well as beautiful antiques. Our Inventory also includes very unique handmade Pakistani and Indian rugs, in both traditional and modern styles.
