Central Persia, probably Isphahan

B.C. Holland Gallery, Chicago, Illinois;
Sotheby's New York, 24 April 2013, lot 220

Overall measurements; 58cm across the top, 58cm across the bottom, 95cm the left hand side, 95cm the right hand side Mounted on a stretcher. Pile from 3-4mm down to knotbars and foundation. The browns oxidised commensurate with age. Localised wear to knotbars as visible from image. There is a triangular shaped re-weave to lower left corner. Some re-piling to upper left hand side of lower right quadrant in blues and madder. First hand inspection is advised, photographs can be requested from the department. Beautiful drawing, particularly good rosy red field colour. Might benefit from a light professional clean.
"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."

On the basis of Jessica Hallett’s study in Carpets and Textiles in the Iranian World 1400 – 1700, Chpt VI, ‘From the Looms of Yazd and Isfahan - Persian Carpets and Textiles in Portugal’, pp. 90 – 123, we can attribute the present lot to the second of three chronological 17^th century design types. Possibly even the first and earliest, however in the absence of a border design we cannot say with certainty. Attributing any city production work to one of the various 17th century court weaving centres remains challenging and there is some disparity in the cataloguing of these Safavid courtly works. However it is largely accepted that the main production centre for these prized and expensive commodities was the city of Isphahan where Shah Abbas II (1632 – 1666) moved his court in 1643.

If we accept that a higher calibre of design and palette of colour would indicate a work from the imperial capital, the offered lot could well have originated from there. The intensity and richness of the crimson ground is beguiling and the beautiful drawing of the ‘C’ scrolls, palmettes and cloudbands, remarkable. A carpet incorporating very similar drawing of these motifs, formerly in the Corcoran collection, sold Sotheby’s New York, 5 June 2013, lot 4; in particular the large saffron palmette in the present lot is highly similar to those in the Corcoran example. Also another fragment, possibly from the same carpet, sold Sotheby's London, 28 April 2004, lot 5. This offered carpet fragment is enticing and leaves the viewer in wonder at how magnificent it would have been in its complete state, a thought-provoking and imaginative work.