An Azerbaijan silk embroidery

Silk embroidery in diagonal stitch; embroidery generally intact and covering entire surface of linen ground. Dark browns oxidized in areas and some with restitching. Repaired slit and restitched areas in medallion, approximately 6 x 3 inches; smaller 2 x 2 restitched area in border. Dime sized hole in corner; smaller scattered pin holes. Old blue cotton backing with grey cotton borders sewn to reverse.
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.

It has been suggested that the design principle of some embroideries of this type derive from seventeenth-century Safavid tiles, see Christine Klose, "The Transformation of Rug Design," Hali, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 345-351. Although this idea is more apparent in Caucasian and Azerbaijan embroideries with more angular designs, such as one sold Sotheby's New York, December 5, 1987, lot 118, the basic spatial concept and composition of this lot also shares similarities with the designs of earlier and contemporaneous Persian tiles. The narrow border decorated with a continuous and interlocking pattern executed on a light background in powerful contrast with the dark field, the strongly centralized and symmetrical field design composed of a multiple-sided central medallion surrounded by naturalistically rendered palmettes and stylized curled leaves and the inclusion of animal figures in the corner cartouches are all design elements this lot shares with other embroideries from Azerbaijan.