Lot Essay
One other Polish carpet of this design but dated one year later has been published (Bennett, I.: Rugs and Carpets of the World), London 1978, p.270-272. That carpet was sold in these rooms as the property of the late Prince S.A. Radziwill on 11 May 1978, lot 41 and was subsequently offered at Sotheby's, London, 11 October, 1990, lot 683.
Although very little has been written on Polish pile-carpets in the 18th century, it is believed that the Radziwill family, under Prince Michael Casimir Radziwill (1702-1762), already had an established workshop producing pile-carpets prior to the manufacture of the one offered here. The use of a rectangular frame, which is embellished with flowered acanthus scrolls and palm-wreathed medallions at the corners and sides, would indicate a strong influence from the 17th century Savonnerie carpet designs. Eastern influence can also be seen in the outer dark brown flowerhead stripe. It is very probable due to its similar layout to English and European examples with the central armorial that it was made for use as a 'sumpter' cloth or table carpet.
The previous example offered for sale is thought to have been specially commissioned to celebrate the second marriage of Prince Michael, to Princess Ursula Francisca Wisniowiecka (1705-1753). As these carpets were believed to have been produced for specific ceremonies or to commermorate very special occasions, it is possible that this example was commissioned to celebrate the marriage of Prince Michael's first-born son Karl Stanislaus (b. Nieswiez 27 February 1734). He was known as "Panie Kochanku" (Sir Sweetheart) and married Maria Caroline Princess Lubomirska on 23 October, 1753.
Although very little has been written on Polish pile-carpets in the 18th century, it is believed that the Radziwill family, under Prince Michael Casimir Radziwill (1702-1762), already had an established workshop producing pile-carpets prior to the manufacture of the one offered here. The use of a rectangular frame, which is embellished with flowered acanthus scrolls and palm-wreathed medallions at the corners and sides, would indicate a strong influence from the 17th century Savonnerie carpet designs. Eastern influence can also be seen in the outer dark brown flowerhead stripe. It is very probable due to its similar layout to English and European examples with the central armorial that it was made for use as a 'sumpter' cloth or table carpet.
The previous example offered for sale is thought to have been specially commissioned to celebrate the second marriage of Prince Michael, to Princess Ursula Francisca Wisniowiecka (1705-1753). As these carpets were believed to have been produced for specific ceremonies or to commermorate very special occasions, it is possible that this example was commissioned to celebrate the marriage of Prince Michael's first-born son Karl Stanislaus (b. Nieswiez 27 February 1734). He was known as "Panie Kochanku" (Sir Sweetheart) and married Maria Caroline Princess Lubomirska on 23 October, 1753.