Lot Essay
Warp: cotton, ivory, natural, Z3S, a few Z4S
Weft: cotton, tan, natural, Z2S, 3 shoots alternating, 1 and 3 staight, 2 wavy
Pile: wool, Z2 or cotton, white only, Z2, asymmetric knots open left, alternate warp depression 0-30 degrees, H11xV11
Sides: not original
Ends: both not original
Colors: burgundy, rose, navy, white (cotton), orange ochre, yellow, light blue, medium blue, palest green, dark blue, buff, forest green, salmon, mid green, black
This carpet is an Indian example of the group of 17th century carpets variously attributed to Persia or India which take their design inspiration from late 16th and early 17th century Isfahan carpets. For a brief discussion of this group, please see the note accompanying lot 24 of this catalogue. An Indian origin for the carpet offered here is suggested by the serrated drawing of the palmette outlines, the shading and coloration, particularly the burnt orange, of the palmettes and the pale rose color of the ground. A carpet of similar design and somewhat similar coloration was sold by Christie's London, 17 October 1996, lot 407.
While not unknown in other examples of both Persian and Indian origin, the use of white cotton for areas of the pile in the current rug is extremely unusual.
Weft: cotton, tan, natural, Z2S, 3 shoots alternating, 1 and 3 staight, 2 wavy
Pile: wool, Z2 or cotton, white only, Z2, asymmetric knots open left, alternate warp depression 0-30 degrees, H11xV11
Sides: not original
Ends: both not original
Colors: burgundy, rose, navy, white (cotton), orange ochre, yellow, light blue, medium blue, palest green, dark blue, buff, forest green, salmon, mid green, black
This carpet is an Indian example of the group of 17th century carpets variously attributed to Persia or India which take their design inspiration from late 16th and early 17th century Isfahan carpets. For a brief discussion of this group, please see the note accompanying lot 24 of this catalogue. An Indian origin for the carpet offered here is suggested by the serrated drawing of the palmette outlines, the shading and coloration, particularly the burnt orange, of the palmettes and the pale rose color of the ground. A carpet of similar design and somewhat similar coloration was sold by Christie's London, 17 October 1996, lot 407.
While not unknown in other examples of both Persian and Indian origin, the use of white cotton for areas of the pile in the current rug is extremely unusual.