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Lot Essay
This, representing probably two-thirds of the original carpet, is a classic example of the small-pattern Holbein design. Woven on an alternating red and green field the design forms a rhythmical counterpoint of colour and line. As noted in the fuller note to the similar rug in the Alexander collection (Christie's, 15 October 1998, lot 208), there is here a playfulness in the design of the centre of each of the octagonal panels, showing considerable inventiveness while remaining on the same theme.
From their occurrence in paintings, where they are almost equally spread over the last half of the fifteenth and first half of the sixteenth century, we can be confident of the date of production of these rugs. The clear Timurid influence, noted under lot 199, and first demonstrated by Amy Briggs, is here very clearly visible (Briggs, Amy: "Timurid Carpets, I: Geometric Carpets" Ars Islamica 7, 1940, pp.20-54).
From their occurrence in paintings, where they are almost equally spread over the last half of the fifteenth and first half of the sixteenth century, we can be confident of the date of production of these rugs. The clear Timurid influence, noted under lot 199, and first demonstrated by Amy Briggs, is here very clearly visible (Briggs, Amy: "Timurid Carpets, I: Geometric Carpets" Ars Islamica 7, 1940, pp.20-54).