CIRCA 1814,

Details

A EUROPEAN CUT-LOOP PILE CARPET,
Circa 1814,
With some uncut-loop pile in silver gilt threads, having a central panel enclosing Herakles and a line with an ivory inner border of a leafy scroll, armorials reading "GIII, AI, FI and FWIII" at the corners separated by "VITORIA", "PARIS", "LEIPZEG" and "CULM" with an outer tassle border.
Approximately 13ft. 7in. x 12ft. (414cm. x 366cm.)

Provenance

From the collection of the late Brent Arnold, New York

Special notice

Christie's interest in property consigned for sale. Christie's generally offers property consigned by others for sale at public auction. From time to time, lots are offered which Christie's International Plc or one of it's subsidiary companies owns in whole or in part. Each such lot is offered subject to a reserve. This is such a lot

Lot Essay

This unusual carpet commemorates battle victories that lead to the downfall of Napoleon. The battles of Victoria, Leipzig, and Culm were all allied victories in 1813 all of which led ultimately to the unconditional surrender of Napoleon on 11 April 1814 in Paris. The initials refer to the kings of the countries with the largest armies involved: George III of Great Britain, Alexander I of Russia, Frederick I of Austria, and Frederick William III of Prussia. The omission of Waterloo from the list of battles makes certain a date of manufacture between April 1814 and the beginning of 1815 when Napoleon returned from Elba. The precise dating of this carpet makes it an important document in the history of the development of the manufacturing of carpets which are not hand knotted.

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