A Central Persian carpet, possibly Isphahan

size adjusted

Sotheby's London, 14 October 1977, lot 5, catalogued as an 18th Lahore carpet

Overall measurements: 217cm across the top, 219cm across the bottom, 415cm the left hand side, 417cm the right hand side. Flexible handle. Generally even low pile down to knotbars overall. Scattered re-weaves and re-piles, especially within the lower border and the upper section. There is a vertical repair extending from centre of right hand side of lower border through the main field four fifths of the length of the carpet, approximately 307cm long. There are additional horizontal and vertical repairs generally, for example within the top third, including a horizontal inset within the top quadrant of the main field approx. 3cm by 100cm wide. The carpet is presently lined. With one bit of lining to corner loose so reverse of carpet visible. The carpet has been reduced in size. Additional photographs are available on request from the department. As this piece is of considerable age we would strongly recommend personal inspection to ensure you are happy with the condition and visual appearance. Beautiful and classical, drawing design with rare apple green border and striking red apple field.
"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."

It might seem eccentric initially to compare the present carpet with 17^th century Persian ‘Polonaise’ silk and metal-thread weavings, rather than the corpus of 17^th century wool rugs with an ‘in-and-out palmette’ design. However, the use of a bright apple green ground for the border, contrasting with a cochineal red field is a very unusual combination in a wool pile carpet of the period, but bears distinct similarities with the palette of several ‘Polonaise’ works. For example the field of the silk and metal-thread ‘Polonaise’, formerly in the collection of King Umberto II of Italy, sold Sotheby’s New York, 1 October 2015, lot 68, fig. 1, is a similar hue to the border of the present work. Additionally the Umberto 'Polonaise' shares an almost identical guard border design, which otherwise seems to only appear in the 'Polonaise’ group, of an alternating trefoil leaf and small flowerhead. Two examples, lots 7 and 9, from the Important Carpets from the William A. Clark, Sotheby's New York, 5 June 2013 have the same outer guard design. Perhaps the most striking comparison,  in tonality and elements of the design such as the lotus and in particular the lancet leaves connected by vinery, is the silk ‘Polonaise’ rug formerly in the V & L Benguiat collection, Sotheby’s London, 28 April 1993, lot 61, fig. 2.

Precise attributions to the various possible production centres for the 17^th century court weaves remains challenging and so it is not surprising that there is some disparity in the cataloguing of these Safavid courtly weavings. Jessica Hallett, ‘ From the Looms of Yazd and Isfahan - Persian Carpets and Textiles in Portugal’ in Carpets and Textiles in the Iranian World 1400 – 1700, Chpt VI, , pp. 90 – 123 focuses on the appearance of classical Persian carpets in the Portuguese Royal collections from the first half of the 16^th century. In the absence of absolutes regarding the origins of these superior carpets from the Persian Empire, Hallett has classified those produced post the 16th century, into four major ‘types’ - the first three may represent a form of chronology through design.  The current example belongs to the third type, by the inclusion of the larger curved lancet leaves and rosettes. Another example formerly in the Keir Collection, and comparable in design layout to the offered lot, can be seen in Spuhler, F., Islamic Carpets and Textiles in the Keir Collection, 1978, pl. no. 48, pp. 93 and 94, (then catalogued as ‘Herat’, Persia or India). Also pictured is an additional ‘Polish’ (‘Polonaise’) carpet again with the same leaf and flower guard border, pl. no. 55, pp. 103 and 109. (For an example of the first group, most similar to scrolling vine carpets produced in the 16^th century but lacking animal forms, see lot 129 within this sale).

The ‘Polonaise’ rugs with their use of expensive silk and metal-thread are normally associated to Isphahan, which became the centre of the silk trade after the relocation of the Armenians from Julfa in Azerbaijan, to New Julfa, established by Shah Abbas I (1587-1628), in the early 17^th century. On the basis of palette and design details, we would suggest Isphahan should be considered as the weaving centre for this carpet, possibly under the aegis of one of the ‘Polonaise’ workshops.  However, regardless of origin, the colouring and spacious, open design, render it both an unusual and delightful example of classical Persian weaving.

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