.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The approx. knot count is 7.5H x 9V per sq. cm.
This rug has the very rare feature for Heriz silk rugs of panels of silver thread included in the design. It is only used in small features within the border, since the silver wire used is relatively thick wire and so is unusuitable for use with delicate silk in larger areas. A similar use of silver wire can be found in a silk Heriz rug dating from the early 19th century sold in these Rooms, 15 April 2010, lot 76. While the field design of our rug shows some of the same features as that rug, notably the scrolling tendrils in the spandrels terminating in split palmettes, the design here is more like Heriz wool rugs with greater angularity in the vegetation. The arabesques in the spandrels also show the Qajar love of demons in the powerful dragon heads in each spandrel. This rug is in outstanding condition for its age, a testament to silk carpet weaving in Heriz in the third quarter of the 19th century.
This rug has the very rare feature for Heriz silk rugs of panels of silver thread included in the design. It is only used in small features within the border, since the silver wire used is relatively thick wire and so is unusuitable for use with delicate silk in larger areas. A similar use of silver wire can be found in a silk Heriz rug dating from the early 19th century sold in these Rooms, 15 April 2010, lot 76. While the field design of our rug shows some of the same features as that rug, notably the scrolling tendrils in the spandrels terminating in split palmettes, the design here is more like Heriz wool rugs with greater angularity in the vegetation. The arabesques in the spandrels also show the Qajar love of demons in the powerful dragon heads in each spandrel. This rug is in outstanding condition for its age, a testament to silk carpet weaving in Heriz in the third quarter of the 19th century.