CHAHAR MAHAL REGION, WEST PERSIA, CIRCA 1900

The eye-catching but simple geometric mirrored design of concentric serrated lozenges on a camel and abrashed indigo ground is very powerful. A traditional type of Persian carpet, gabbeh are also known as a Khersak in Bakhtiari, which translates as 'bear's cub'. Much like an Anatolian yastik, they were traditionally woven with a coarse weave and long pile to help keep one warm whilst sleeping and were mostly characterized by an abstract design that relied upon open fields of color and a geometric playfulness. The present lot bears no relation to the later commercial production for export purposes which commenced in the second half of the 20th century, but was woven as an authentic folk art product for the home, full of energy and idiosyncrasies. A comparable example displaying bold concentric lozenges is illustrated by Eberhart Herrmann, Asiatische Teppich- und Textilkunst 2. Munich 1990, no.49. For a fuller discussion on the group see 'Chahar Mahal-e Bakhtiari Gabbeh', Parviz Tanavoli, HALI, Issue 118, pp.96-101.