ATTRIBUTABLE TO HAGOP KAPOUDJIAN, ISTANBUL, TURKEY, CIRCA 1900

The knot count measures approximately 12V x 12H knots per cm. sq.

In his 1995 catalogue, George Farrow attributed this carpet to the work of Hagop Kapoudjian based on comparison with the horizontally-woven rugs inspired by the ‘Salting’ group, two of which were also in his collection: one sold 25 April 2024, lot 178, the other being offered in this sale, lot 213. As well as a very similar colour palette and long pile, Farrow noted that the principle motifs were outlined in colour. Given that the ‘Salting’-type rug sold in April was displayed in the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900, this suggests that this too was woven before the First World War, when Hagop was just starting out as a weaver, and before he began signing his rugs with his own name.

The present lot takes its cartoon from the so-called ‘Schwarzenberg’ carpet, today in the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha. That carpet is thought to have been woven in sixteenth century Iran, and features a central medallion flanked by pendants in a field populated by cypress trees, mythical creatures and intricate foliage. Though both the border and field are closely observed, Hagop has altered the proportions of the rug. He has omitted the final decorative elements at the upper and lower ends of the field and introduced new ones at the sides, creating a rug which is shorter and wider than the original carpet from which it takes inspiration.