A Beshir main carpet, South Turkestan

Pile ranges from 1/10th of an inch to low to knotheads in areas of scattered foldware. Some scattered repiling, well executed, sides reselvaged. Ends secured with chain stitch. Supple handle, good overall condition and ready for use.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The unusually spacious and free-flowing overall design of this lot sets this lot apart from most Beshir main carpets. Similarly to the Ersaris, Beshir weavers were open to outside influences and often incorporated southern and eastern elements into the designs of their rugs and carpets. Here, the eight octagonal medallions, which anchor the seemingly unregulated vinery of the field, have Chinese origins as they were copied from rugs of the Khotan and Kashgar districts of East Turkestan, that had been under considerable stylistic influence from China. In this carpet the more commonly used and semi-angularly drawn herati pattern that often decorates Beshir main carpets, is completely omitted and instead the abovementioned overall flower-studded pattern is used to populate the field. This design is further enriched with serrated leaves that, just like the herati motif and the flowering vinery, derives from Persian carpets. This amalgam of different design elements is executed in a jewel-like color palette that gives this lot a particularly fresh appearance. The fact that the field is not overly crowded with motifs, as is often the case with many Beshir main carpets, renders this piece exceptionally well-balanced. A Beshir gallery carpet with similar octagonal medallions and comparable, but very densely arranged, serrated leaves was sold Sotheby's New York, 9 June 1990, lot 57.