It’s about time: domestic goddess Martha Stewart has finally devoted a lengthy video package to handmade Oriental rugs: their art, their culture and their unsurpassed beauty. The guest of honor was one Shiv Sikri, a collector whose considerable knowledge of the process and craft that go into these carpets were the highlight of a segment filled with breathtaking samples, including a stunning replica of a 16th century Egyptian classic.

It was great television, of course. But it was also a valuable history lesson and a reminder that Persian rugs represent some of the finest art in Central Asia. One of our favorite moments: when Martha Stewart perfectly encapsulated the magic of Persian rugs by exclaiming in surprise that a 200+ year-old-carpet was, “Still so brilliant!”

Of course this is the unique allure of Oriental carpets, and the feature that so many clients relish: Oriental rugs can last for centuries and only grow more sublime with time. If you’d like to learn more about some of the most durable and indelible artworks in the world, please don’t hesitate to contact the rug experts at Catalina today.