A MUGHAL CARPET

NORTH INDIA, SECOND HALF 17TH CENTURY

Details

A MUGHAL CARPET
NORTH INDIA, SECOND HALF 17TH CENTURY
Of Isfahan design, the raspberry-red field with a counterposed design of spiralling tendrils linking a variety of palmettes, serrated leaves and cloudband motifs around a minute central stepped light blue medallion, in a broad fir-green border of bold palmettes linked by flowering vine between ochre and indigo rosette and raspberry-red floral meander stripes, areas of wear, small areas of scattered repiling, a couple of areas of very localised tinting
32ft.8in. x 11ft.10in. (996cm. x 360cm.)

Sale room notice

The pair to this carpet is "The Braganza Carpet" in the Thyssen Bornemisza Collection, no. V in May Beattie's catalogue. It is also published in colour in Pope's Survey of Persian Art (pl. 1188). May Beattie suggests that both carpets enhanced the court of the Duke of Braganza after they were elected to the throne of Portugal in 1640.

Lot Essay

The field of this carpet with the overall palmettes, serrated leaves and cloudband-motifs has been developed from the group of early Safavid Persian floral carpets now generally attributed to Isfahan. This Indian example with slightly dusty colours, coupled with the somewhat angular drawing and occurance of pink details on the raspberry-red ground would lead most authorities to place it within the Indian group rather than among the contemporary products of Isfahan. The introduction of plants from India further attests to its origin incorporating peonies, irises and carnations depicted in the border of the present lot. There has however been considerable discussion about their place of manufacture, reflected in the well known term 'Indo-Isfahan' by which they are still occasionally recognized. For a further discussion on Mughal carpets please see Dimand, M.S and Mailey, Jean.: Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973 pp.117-128.

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