LATE 18TH CENTURY

This north west Persian kelleh displays a bold and informal interpretation of the Harshang design that can also be found on a Kurdish example published by Eberhart Herrmann (Asiatische Teppich- Und Textilkunst Band 3, Munich, 1991, pl.32, p.73) and a Kuba rug published by Ian Bennett (Oriental Rugs: Volume 1 Caucasian, Austria, 1981, no.307, p.239). The Harshang design was particularly popular throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in north west Persia (for a fuller discussion on the Harshang design please see lot 19 of this sale). The border of the present lot shows parallels to Kirman ‘Vase’ designs as seen on lot 101 of this sale. A kelleh that combines the field and border designs of our example and is attributed to Sauj Bulaq is published by James D. Burns (Antique Rugs of Kurdistan, A Historical Legacy of Woven Art, London, 2002, pl.42, p.147).