A Qashqa'i Shekarlu or Luri rug, Southwest Persia

Baron and Baroness Fould-Springer, presumed
Baron Elie de Rothschild 
Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild, Abbey Palace, Royaumont, France (Abbey Palace owned by branch of Rothschild family since 1923)
Purchased by present owner

Overall measurements: 194cm across the top, 192cm across the bottom, 216cm along left side, 219cm along right side (unusual large, almost square format). Pile of exceptionally lustrous wool, of variable length up to 15mm (!) in depth, with broad range of colours, including a fantastic range of greens, now differentially oxidised. Beautiful old weave with flexible handle. There are areas of wear and repair and several holes, particularly in horizontal band through the centre. The department would recommend personal inspection: with judicious conservation, this will be a really outstanding and extraordinary piece. Additional photographs of the damaged areas are available from the Rug Department. Please email Stephanie.Douglas@sothebys.com or Jackie.Coulter.Consultant@sothebys.com with requests for images or telephone the department on +44 (0)207 293 5556 if you have any further questions. EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION OF PERSIAN/IRANIAN WORKS OF ART TO THE USA. Due to recent changes in the U.S. law, carpets and rugs of Iranian/Persian origin can no longer be imported into the U.S. Please check with the sale administrator if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to these or any other restrictions or if you need assistance with such enquiries.
"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."

For further information on Baron and Baroness Fould-Springer, see Lot 64 in this sale.  A companion piece to that lot, the close similarities in wool and technique suggest these pieces may have been collected at the same time.  As discussed, the Safavid style palmettes seen in Lot 64 suggest an early date, and the extraordinary design of this example is apparently unique. Opie, James, Tribal Rugs, Oregon, 1992, pp.124-125, pls.7.24 & 7.25 illustrates a Luri Gabbeh rug, dated to the mid-19th century or earlier, which has a more stylised version of the field and border designs of the present lot.  Gabbeh  are mentioned in a 16th century decree from Shah Tahmasp, directing the arrangements to be made for an important guest: 'We have ordered a silk tent to be set up for the kitchen near the royal pavilion and the private quarters, covering the ground with silken carpets from Khorasan, and gabbehs' (Tanavoli, Parviz and Amanolahi, Sekander, Gabbeh, Zurich, 1990, ft.note 8, p29).

For further Qasqa'i works within this sale see lots 64, 65, 66 and 74. 

EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION OF PERSIAN/IRANIAN WORKS OF ART TO THE USA. Due to recent changes in the U.S. law, carpets and rugs of Iranian/Persian origin can no longer be imported into the U.S.

Please check with the sale administrator if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to these or any other restrictions or if you need assistance with such enquiries.