18TH CENTURY

The design of this silk embroidered rug is a clearly inspired by Safavid textiles. In her article "A Synthesis of Contrasts", Hali, vol.59, pp.102-111, Jennifer Wearden publishes three examples whose designs similarly use distinctive Persian themes (op.cit., pls. 8, 9 and 10). The present rug is one stage further removed from the high period of Safavid textile designs than the Wearden examples, but has a number of shared features. This and the fact that ours has a classic medallion make it possible that the origin is either South Caucasus or Persia. Other closely related examples have been sold in these Rooms, 7 October 2010, lot 101; 15 April 2010, lot 102; 25 October 2007, lot 56; and 6 April 2006, lot 107.