NORTH WEST PERSIA, CIRCA 1800

As with so many designs, the overall tree field, which was used to great effect in 17th century vase carpets (Beattie, May H.: Carpets of Central Persia, exhibition catalogue, Westerham, 1976, nos.12-14, pp.48-49), was adopted by the Kurdish weavers of the North West of the country in the 18th century. In this particular example it has already developed into the bid Majnun design, a design which was standardised and very popular the following century, its focus being the weeping willow tree under which Majnun sat bewailing his love for Layla in the classic epic poem.