Lot Essay
The royal weaving workshops established by Shah Abbas (1587-1629) in the capital city of Isfahan were incredibly prolific, creating carpets of the finest quality for the demanding European export market, as well as for the Persian nobility. The examples offered in lots 203 and 285 demonstrate the classic prototype of iconic claret fields, undulating vinery and cloudbands, and deep indigo palmette borders.
Lot 203 displays the bracket leaf border motif that is difficult to execute, especially at the corners. The bold simplicity of the major border of the present lot recalls one sold recently on behalf of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Christie's, New York, 24 November 2009, lot 131. In that same sale, lots 203 and 205 display the same reciprocal S-cloudband inner guard border of the lot offered here.
Lot 203 displays the bracket leaf border motif that is difficult to execute, especially at the corners. The bold simplicity of the major border of the present lot recalls one sold recently on behalf of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Christie's, New York, 24 November 2009, lot 131. In that same sale, lots 203 and 205 display the same reciprocal S-cloudband inner guard border of the lot offered here.