During the reign of the Emperor Shah Jehan (1628-1648) a definite artistic style was developed in all areas of court art. The fragment offered here is a classic example of this period; the rich burgundy ground showing well drawn, easily identifiable lilies, poppies, carnations and primulas in well spaced horizontal and vertical rows. The early pieces have, as this piece does, a clear understanding of the plants depicted and a tight well ordered design. Although it is not certain, it is highly probable that these flowers were originally copied from a group of 100 floral drawings by Mansur which were commissioned by Emperor Jahangir (1605-1628AD) and possibly copied or adapted in turn from the European herbals. For examples see Martegon Lily and Campanula and Jacca from Pierre Vallet: Le Jardin du Roy etc. 1608 (after the edition of 1624) (Skelton,R: 'A Decorative Motif in Mughal Art', in Aspects of Indian Art, papers presented at a symposium at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art, October 1970, Leiden, 1972, pls. XCb and XCIb).
Unfortunately, there are very few other complete pieces in existence from this period. One whose drawing is very close indeed to ours was sold at Sotheby's, Carpets from the J. Paul Getty Museum, New York, 8th December, 1980, lot 9. Another is in New York, (Dimand, M.S. and Miley, Jean: Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973, no.59, p.130, col.pl.134,pp150-1). These carpets clearly demonstrate the quality and sophistication of this period of Indian art.