A BAKSHAISH 'PARADISE' CARPET
A BAKSHAISH 'PARADISE' CARPET
A BAKSHAISH 'PARADISE' CARPET
1 More
A BAKSHAISH 'PARADISE' CARPET
4 More
THE PROPERTY OF A DISTINGUISHED PRIVATE COLLECTOR
A BAKSHAISH 'PARADISE' CARPET

WEST PERSIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details
A BAKSHAISH 'PARADISE' CARPET
WEST PERSIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Light even wear, localised restoration, selvages original, ends complete
7ft.5in. x 5ft.6in. (226cm. x 172cm.)
Further Details
Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import this type of lot into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid.

Brought to you by

Sara Plumbly
Sara Plumbly Director, Head of Department

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

Sign in
View Condition Report

Lot Essay


The design of the present rug is a charming portrayal of paradise in the form of a pastoral landscape. The 'After life' or 'Khwanira' is suggested through three sections, with a three-peak mountain range in its middle, densely filled with goats, sheep and chicken amongst which are a couple of prowling lions. Above and below this are lofty cypress and pomegranate trees. Below predatory animals wander through the forest, while above birds take flight towards the heavens.

Two ivory ground examples from this group were with Eberhart Herrmann, Seltene Orientteppiche X, Munich 1988, pp.118-9, pl.53 and another E. Herrmann, Asiatische Teppich-und Textilkunst, Munich, 1992, Vol. 4, Cat. No. 56, pp.124-125, illustrated front cover and sold Sotheby's London, 9 April 2014, lot 210. Other background colour variants exist in the group with two examples displaying red mountains on an indigo ground, see E. Herrmann, Asiatische Teppich-und Textilkunst, Munich, 1991, Vol. 3, No.29, pp.66-67 and another with James D. Burns, Seattle, included in an article discussing the venerated symbolism of the tree and the Iranian attribute of immortality to the pyramidal cypress, (see Susan Day, 'The Tree of Life – Textiles and Carpets in the Context of Nature Worship', HALI, Issue 170, 2011, pp.86-95). Another example displaying three mountain peaks, similar to the present lot, rather than the more common five peaks, has a red ground with tall trees above and below but which have almost entirely lost their leafy, fruiting canopies, (E.Herrmann, Seltene Orientteppiche IX, Munich 1987, pp.124-5, pl.54).

A larger and later woven example demonstrates the evolution and development of the 'Paradise' design in the second half of the 19th century, where the design is adapted to the larger scale, including the reflection of trees in the water, a feature not found in any of the other examples (Anon sale, Christie's London, 24 April 2012, lot 29).

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs and Carpets

View All
View All