Lot Essay
This fragment, albeit composite and damaged, has retained very good colour which enhances the clarity of the design. It has very similar characteristics within the whole group of these rugs as the complete example in lot 208, with its bitonal chequerboard field and a Pinner and Stanger type C border (Pinner, Robert and Stanger, Jackie: ''Kufic' borders on 'Small Pattern Holbein' Carpets', HALI vol.1, no.4, Winter 1978, pp.335-338). Again, like the border to the other rug of this type in this sale, it does not precisely match any of the designs shown by them, although on this occasion it is very close indeed to that shown as D9 (p.336).
While not mentioned specifically in the listing of 'Small Pattern Holbein carpets' by Ellis (Charles Grant: 'Ellis in Holbeinland', in Pinner, Robert and Denny, Walter B.: Oriental Carpet and Textile Studies I, London, 1985, pp.55-75), it is probable that this is one of the 'additional three pieces, perhaps all fragmentary [which are] reported to be in California collections but [for which] no data or illustrations are available' (p.74).
For a further discussion of rugs of this type please see the note to lot 208.
While not mentioned specifically in the listing of 'Small Pattern Holbein carpets' by Ellis (Charles Grant: 'Ellis in Holbeinland', in Pinner, Robert and Denny, Walter B.: Oriental Carpet and Textile Studies I, London, 1985, pp.55-75), it is probable that this is one of the 'additional three pieces, perhaps all fragmentary [which are] reported to be in California collections but [for which] no data or illustrations are available' (p.74).
For a further discussion of rugs of this type please see the note to lot 208.