LATE 18TH CENTURY

This north west Persian kelleh displays a bold and informal interpretation of the Harshang design that was particularly popular throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in north west Persia, but was equally popular in neighbouring regions, as can be seen on a Kurdish example published by Eberhart Herrmann (Asiatische Teppich- Und Textilkunst Band 3, Munich, 1991, pl.32, p.73) and a Kuba rug published by Ian Bennett (Oriental Rugs: Volume 1 Caucasian, Austria, 1981, no.307, p.239). The border of the present lot shows parallels to Kirman ‘Vase’ designs as seen on lot 100 of this sale. Other examples of both border and field design include a kelleh on a chestnut-brown field that is attributed to Sauj Bulaq, published by James D. Burns (Antique Rugs of Kurdistan, A Historical Legacy of Woven Art, London, 2002, pl.42, p.147), a north west Persian kelleh set upon a blue ground, sold in these Rooms, 19 April, 2016, lot 98 and a south Caucasian example on a shaded dark-chocolate brown field which was offered for sale in Christie's London, Blondeel and Deroyan Collection of Important Tapestries and Carpets, 2 April 2003, lot 43.