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Lot Essay
The harshang design is one which was popular throughout Persia in the eighteenth century, particularly in the North West of the country. It appears that the design was first used in the Khorassan district and in origin ultimately derives from the Isfahan "in and out palmette" design such as that seen in lot 226. A Khorassan carpet which showed the intermediate stage was sold in these Rooms 16 October 1997, lot 100. The border of the present carpet also derives from Khorassan designs; an example with a closely related border was sold in Wiesbaden in 1992 (Rippon Boswell and Co., 30 May 1992 lot 142; Hali 64, August 1992, auction price guide p.166).
Examples of this field design were made in a number of areas of North West Persia and the surrounding regions in the eighteenth century. This point was noted and explored by Pamela Bensoussan when discussing four examples in Paris ("Four Harshang carpets in the Musée des arts décoratifs", Hali vol.3, no.3, 1981, pp.207-209). The sale following this also has two further examples from the same period, each very different from each other; one from the Burns Collection, lot 256, the other from the Property of a Gentleman, lot 13). In contrast to the other two examples the present carpet has white cotton wefts and a tight structure, more akin to the later East caucasian weavings. What makes it stand out however is the brilliance and variety of the colours. This carpet has a far wider palette than is normally encountered in rugs from this region of this period. Yet the whole composition works since the brilliant field is enclosed within the most unusual soft cool green ground of the well-spaced border.
Examples of this field design were made in a number of areas of North West Persia and the surrounding regions in the eighteenth century. This point was noted and explored by Pamela Bensoussan when discussing four examples in Paris ("Four Harshang carpets in the Musée des arts décoratifs", Hali vol.3, no.3, 1981, pp.207-209). The sale following this also has two further examples from the same period, each very different from each other; one from the Burns Collection, lot 256, the other from the Property of a Gentleman, lot 13). In contrast to the other two examples the present carpet has white cotton wefts and a tight structure, more akin to the later East caucasian weavings. What makes it stand out however is the brilliance and variety of the colours. This carpet has a far wider palette than is normally encountered in rugs from this region of this period. Yet the whole composition works since the brilliant field is enclosed within the most unusual soft cool green ground of the well-spaced border.