Within the Bernheimer family this carpet has always been known as the "Seeteppich" (Sea-carpet). Tradition has it that it was specifically woven for the durbar of Queen Victoria. Once it had been completed, it was rolled and sent to be shipped to Delhi. Unfortunately, as it was being loaded onto the vessel, it proved too heavy for the handlers and fell into the water. On being pulled out, it was seen that the blue colour, as is typical in Agra carpets, had run, making it impossible to be used under the royal feet.

While in the Bernheimer Collection, this carpet has been used for a number of Bavarian State occasions; despite the mottling of the blue colour it remains an extremely large and impressive Agra carpet. Surprisingly the structure does not appear to have dried out, despite its dunking.