A Central Persian gallery carpet, probably Isphahan

with a cotton strip stitched to the underside with 'MAIN HALL / ISPAHAN - 32⁴x12⁰' written in ink.

Possibly with King Joao IV of Portugal second half 17th century;
American Art Association, New York, The V. and L. Benguiat Private Collection, 4-5 December 1925, either lot 72 or 73;
With Mrs Edsel B. Ford, Detroit, by 1972;
Christie's London, April 22, 1999, lot 101.

Hallett. J., Carpets and Textiles of the Iranian World 1400 – 1700, London, 2010, pp. 112 & 122. 
Hali, July/August, 1999, Issue 105, p. 144.
Spuhler. F., The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Carpets and Textiles, London, 1998, p. 106. 
Beattie. M., The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection of Oriental Rugs, Lugano-Castagnola, 1972, pp. 47 - 48.

Overall measurements; 363cm across the top, 362cm across the bottom, 1006cm the left hand side, 994cm the right hand side. Overall wear as visible from the photograph. Pile, in lower left corner, 2-3mm otherwise largely down to knotbars and foundation. Some splits and re-piling scattered throughout, re-piling largely to the browns. Two larger sections of repair, both in the left hand border. The first is rectangular shaped in the lower left corner measuring approx 40 by 10cm and the other midway up replaces one of the palmettes in the border, measuring approx. 32 by 23cm at widest points. With later side cords, ends overlocked. First hand inspection is advised, photographs can be requested from the department.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Braganza carpets are rumoured to have been made for the Duke of Braganza’s accession to the throne of Portugal in 1640, said to have ’greatly impressed his guests’ at the coronation, Spuhler, op.cit, p. 106.

Through the trade port of Ormuz the Portuguese had a rich history with Persia and a number of grand carpets were exchanged as gifts. Jessica Hallett remarks ‘Distance and height were essential factors in staging Portuguese royal space, and on official occasions the monarch was enthroned under a richly decorated dossal … Islamic carpets covering the dais.’, Hallett, op.cit, p. 91. However Hallett also expands on May Beattie’s statement that the carpets were said to be with the Braganza by the 17^th century in their Lisbon palace, but not necessarily by the time of the coronation, Hallett, ibid, pp. 112 & 122. This theory further elaborated on in the ‘Marketplace’ Hali, July/August 1999, issue 105, p. 144. Hallett further suggests that due to the likely date of making, palace descriptions and inventories the carpets might have been a purchased during the reign of King Alfonso V (1656 – 1683), but does not dispute the Royal provenance, Hallett, op cit, p. 115.

For a carpet which shares similar scale, colour tone and palmette design within the field see the carpet formerly owned by the Duke of Lafões, sold Sotheby’s New York, 5 June 2013, lot 19. Like the Braganza pair it was also bought by Vitall Benguiat. What marks the Braganza pair as highly unusual is the small lozenge medallion, it is a trait more associated with the silk and metal-thread so called ‘Polonaise’ weaves. The pair were sold by the renowned dealers Vitall and Leopold Benguiat in 1925, New York, lots 72 and 73, see Towner. W., ‘The Pasha and the Magic carpets Part 2’, Hali, Spring 1980, vol. 3, no. 1, p. 16. Hallett classifies the pair as from group four from her individual categorisation of these 17^th century courtly weaves, this due to their tile layout within the field, Hallett, op.cit, p. 114.