Lot Essay
Acquired approximately forty years after the carpet was likely woven, and reputedly part of the decoration of an imperial Indian palace, this carpet was purchased by the British diplomat and minister of finance, Sir Edward Fitzgerald Law when stationed in India in 1900. During his tenure in India, Law made significant changes to the economy, completing the currency reform started in 1893, writig off heavy debts of land revenue and making the first sizeable tax reduction in over twenty years. In October 1893, he married Catherine, only daughter of Nicholas Hatsopoulo, a prominent member of an old Byzantine family from Athens, Greece. It was through Catherine's side of the family, after the death of Law in 1908, that the carpet passed down by descent, remaining with the family in Greece ever since.
The present carpet is typical of those produced within the midpoint of 19th century Agra production, distinguished by the bold scale of drawing in both the field and border, the fine weave and, in particular, the vibrant colouring. Woven within each of the corners of the border is the figural depiction of a pair of small animals, probably horses. This charming inclusion is a common feature found on a particular group of carpets, the most well known of which was formerly part of the important tapestry and carpet collection belonging to the British property developer Reginald Toms (Murray L. Eiland Jr. and Murray Eiland III, Oriental Carpets, A Complete Guide, Toronto, 1998, p.297, fig.298). Further examples of the group with linked arabesque borders sold; Christie's London 25 April 2002, lot 100 and Christie's New York, 18 December 2001, lot 62 and more recently in Christie's London, 28 October 2021, lot 182 where each corner bore a saddled horse with its foal above a pair of confronting horned rams.