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Lot Essay
The knot count measures approximately 8V x 9H knots per cm. sq.
The city of Heriz is one of the most renowned weaving centres in Persia. Located close to Tabriz, it was a major commercial centre during the 19th century and became one of the leading carpet producing cities for both the domestic and western markets. Among the rarest and most spectacular of all Qajar weavings produced there were the large silk carpets. Mostly woven as specific commissions, they were one of the most explicit ways of displaying wealth and status. They were frequently gifted at Nowruz to celebrate the start of the new year and would bear the inscription mubarak bad saneh, (May the year ...be blessed), alongside further verses from popular Persian poetry, in celebration of the occasion.
The rich red ground is overlaid with a lattice formed of exotic flowers and leaves from which blossom at each end images of the Royal Kiani Crown of the Qajar dynasty (1794-1925). This same motif is part of the iconography of the Royal coat of arms where it surmounts the lion and sun motif, which represents ancient and modern Iranian traditions. Here the weaver successfully manages to capture the elaborate surface of the crown, which in reality is studded with pearls and precious jewels with feathered plumage issuing from be-jewelled finials. A single-wefted silk Heriz rug, with a design incorporating the same imagery was offered in these Rooms, 6 October 2015, lot 25.
The city of Heriz is one of the most renowned weaving centres in Persia. Located close to Tabriz, it was a major commercial centre during the 19th century and became one of the leading carpet producing cities for both the domestic and western markets. Among the rarest and most spectacular of all Qajar weavings produced there were the large silk carpets. Mostly woven as specific commissions, they were one of the most explicit ways of displaying wealth and status. They were frequently gifted at Nowruz to celebrate the start of the new year and would bear the inscription mubarak bad saneh, (May the year ...be blessed), alongside further verses from popular Persian poetry, in celebration of the occasion.
The rich red ground is overlaid with a lattice formed of exotic flowers and leaves from which blossom at each end images of the Royal Kiani Crown of the Qajar dynasty (1794-1925). This same motif is part of the iconography of the Royal coat of arms where it surmounts the lion and sun motif, which represents ancient and modern Iranian traditions. Here the weaver successfully manages to capture the elaborate surface of the crown, which in reality is studded with pearls and precious jewels with feathered plumage issuing from be-jewelled finials. A single-wefted silk Heriz rug, with a design incorporating the same imagery was offered in these Rooms, 6 October 2015, lot 25.