Lot Essay
Despite the relative frequency with which carpets of the 'red ground spiralling tendril and palmette group' are encountered, their precise origin is not established with any certainty. A brief discussion of some of the points made arguing for Isfahan, Herat and India is in the foreword to the Bernheimer Family Collection of Carpets sold in these Rooms, 14 February 1996, pp.15-16. The general opinion is that the type originated in Persia, probably in Isfahan. In addition to the information contained in the article above, it is interesting to note a silk rug in the Royal Danish Collection which has no metal thread and is known to have entered the collection before 1718, whose field and outer guard stripe are identical to those of this group (Sultan, Shah and Great Moghul, exhibition catalogue, Copenhagen, 1996, no.264, pp.282-3 and fig.79). This appears to increase the probability that at least some of them were woven in a place that also wove silk rugs; Isfahan being the obvious origin.
Within the group there are various subgroups, two others of which are represented by lots 405 and 407 in this sale. The present carpet is an example of the finest type, many of which are woven on silk warps. Typical of this group is the intensity and variety of dyes used, together with excellent soft wool. Also typical is the accuracy of drawing with the inclusion of birds. Following the concept of the mid-sixteenth century 'Emperor's Carpets' in the Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Sarre, F. and Trenkwald, H.: Altorientalische Teppiche, Vienna and Leipzig, 1926, Vol.1, pls.6-8 and Dimand, M.S. and Mailey, J.: Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973, no.12, p.101 and fig.76) which include both animals and birds in their scrolling foliage, the earliest group of the 'Isfahan' carpets often, as here, include either animals or birds.
As evidenced by this carpet and others formerly in their collection (Sarre and Trenkwald op.cit., vol.2, pls.24-26 (the Boston Hunting Carpet) and Ettinghausen, R.: Ancient Carpets from the L.A.Mayer Memorial Institute for Islamic Art, Jerusalem, 1977, pl.3, a Polonaise rug), the Barons de Rothschild in Paris had a superb collection of Safavid carpets (not to mention the Shahnameh that was sold to Arthur Houghton). As would be expected for a carpet of this provenance, the condition is remakably good for a carpet of this type and age.
Within the group there are various subgroups, two others of which are represented by lots 405 and 407 in this sale. The present carpet is an example of the finest type, many of which are woven on silk warps. Typical of this group is the intensity and variety of dyes used, together with excellent soft wool. Also typical is the accuracy of drawing with the inclusion of birds. Following the concept of the mid-sixteenth century 'Emperor's Carpets' in the Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Sarre, F. and Trenkwald, H.: Altorientalische Teppiche, Vienna and Leipzig, 1926, Vol.1, pls.6-8 and Dimand, M.S. and Mailey, J.: Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973, no.12, p.101 and fig.76) which include both animals and birds in their scrolling foliage, the earliest group of the 'Isfahan' carpets often, as here, include either animals or birds.
As evidenced by this carpet and others formerly in their collection (Sarre and Trenkwald op.cit., vol.2, pls.24-26 (the Boston Hunting Carpet) and Ettinghausen, R.: Ancient Carpets from the L.A.Mayer Memorial Institute for Islamic Art, Jerusalem, 1977, pl.3, a Polonaise rug), the Barons de Rothschild in Paris had a superb collection of Safavid carpets (not to mention the Shahnameh that was sold to Arthur Houghton). As would be expected for a carpet of this provenance, the condition is remakably good for a carpet of this type and age.