Lot Essay
The inscription at the base of the tree reads: Farmayesh-e Aqa-i Buhjat al-mulk; nigarinda-i naqqash Fursat Shirazi; bafindah Abu'l-Qasem Kirmani (ordered by Aga Buhjat al-Mulk; designed by Fursat Shirazi; woven by Abu'l-Qasem Shirazi).
The figural cartouches around the edges contain the depictions of peoples identified as: Rumi (Ottoman Turkish), Hindi (Indian), Chini (Chinese), 'Arab (Arab), Israili (Israeli), Turk (Turkman), Americani (American), Zangi (negro), Irani (Persian) and Arupal (European).
This rug is very interesting indeed in showing the relationship between the carpets of Kirman in the late 19th century and the contemporaneous artists. A cartoon for a border of a Kirman carpet signed and dated by Sani' Humayun was sold in these Rooms 18 October 1994, lot 103, and a Kirman carpet using exactly that border was sold here 19 October 1995, lot 517. The present carpet is clearly indicated as the design of Fursat Shirazi, a painter who, like Sani' Humayun, is normally known for his very small scale miniature paintings and lacquer.
This rug is an exceptional feat of weaving, using camel hair and wool of different animals to create a more varied texture than would normally be possible.
The figural cartouches around the edges contain the depictions of peoples identified as: Rumi (Ottoman Turkish), Hindi (Indian), Chini (Chinese), 'Arab (Arab), Israili (Israeli), Turk (Turkman), Americani (American), Zangi (negro), Irani (Persian) and Arupal (European).
This rug is very interesting indeed in showing the relationship between the carpets of Kirman in the late 19th century and the contemporaneous artists. A cartoon for a border of a Kirman carpet signed and dated by Sani' Humayun was sold in these Rooms 18 October 1994, lot 103, and a Kirman carpet using exactly that border was sold here 19 October 1995, lot 517. The present carpet is clearly indicated as the design of Fursat Shirazi, a painter who, like Sani' Humayun, is normally known for his very small scale miniature paintings and lacquer.
This rug is an exceptional feat of weaving, using camel hair and wool of different animals to create a more varied texture than would normally be possible.