This superb carpet was probably woven as a special commission. Silk carpets woven in nineteenth century India are extremely rare, and none have been published of this size or grandeur. The field design relates closely to the products of both Agra and Amritzar, deriving originally from the seventeenth and eighteenth century carpets with palmette designs on burgundy grounds. While the border design is taken from Serabend carpets of the nineteenth century, the structure in no way resembles Persian carpets of the that period. The additional touch of richness (and technical rarity) is provided by the most unusual metal-thread selvedge that continues along each end. While this has in places disappeared, the carpet appears to have had little use as the pile in most places is at its original length.