About Us

Eliko Rugs by David Ariel is a family-owned rug company with a rich industry history dedicated to solving our customers' unique challenges. For over 40 years, we’ve curated one of the most diverse and extensive collections of new, vintage, and antique rugs available, with over 10,000 pieces in stock.

The roots of our company trace back to David Basalely, who was born into a family of rug dealers in Tehran. After gaining valuable industry experience in London during the late 1960s, David relocated to New York in 1972. While balancing his education at the CCNY School of Architecture with part-time work in antique rug dealerships, David co-founded Eliko Rugs in 1979. Initially catering to the European market with antique rugs, David later shifted his focus to the domestic market around 2000, curating an inventory that includes sought-after wondrous decorative, Persian and Turkish pieces. His commitment to quality and craftsmanship led to the establishment of a dedicated workshop in Turkey for rug restoration, as well as his certification as a rug appraiser in 2003. David's passion for the craft and sustainability of rug making continues to guide the company.

Ariel Basalely, David's son and the youngest in the family, grew up surrounded by the beauty and history of antique and vintage rugs. His earliest memories involve playing atop stacks of these carpets, sparking a lifelong passion for the industry. After studying at Baruch College in Manhattan and spending summers interning in Commercial Real Estate while also working at Eliko, Ariel joined the company full-time, bringing with him a deep understanding of the modern Millennial and Gen-Z consumer. In 2022, Ariel and David launched Eliko Rugs by David Ariel, a new chapter for the company that emphasizes innovation, custom offerings, and a strong online presence. Under Ariel’s leadership, Eliko is entering a new era, blending tradition with modernity and setting the stage for success in the next decade of commerce.

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