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Lot Essay
As with Isfahan wool carpets, "Polonaise" carpets were also exported in some numbers to Europe in the 17th century. However, unlike the woolen carpets, such as lot 64 in this sale, there is little record that "Polonaise" carpets were bought in bulk. Rather, there is a consistent record that they were very highly regarded diplomatic presents.
One of the main design features of these rugs is the use of arabesques to form outlines around panels. These panels are, however, not retained with the same outlining at all times, and other stems are free to pass through a colored panel as if all was one ground color. No other group of rugs plays to the same extent independently with the outlines and with the coloring of the areas in between. The present rug, with its contrasting pink and green field held in by the brilliant kingfisher blue border exemplifies this very well.
One of the main design features of these rugs is the use of arabesques to form outlines around panels. These panels are, however, not retained with the same outlining at all times, and other stems are free to pass through a colored panel as if all was one ground color. No other group of rugs plays to the same extent independently with the outlines and with the coloring of the areas in between. The present rug, with its contrasting pink and green field held in by the brilliant kingfisher blue border exemplifies this very well.