A MEDALLION AND CARTOUCHE FRAGMENT, ATTRIBUTED TO KHOROSSAN, NORTHEAST PERSIA |

Loewe Collection, Venice, Italy, sold circa 1980;
Property from the Wher Collection, Christie's London, 3 May 2001, lot 74

Overall measurements: 185cm across the top, 184cm across the bottom, 194cm the left hand side, 190cm the right hand side. Inspection advised. Fragmentary. Thin. Holed. We recommend changing the mounting from the of-white linen which is currently being used. There is a window to view the weave from on the reverse. Very elegant drawing and an interesting piece. EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION OF PERSIAN/IRANIAN WORKS OF ART TO THE U.S.A Please note that there may be restrictions on importing certain types of property of Persian/Iranian origin into the United States. Clients should enquire with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding the proper importation of items subject to such restrictions. Due to recent changes in U.S. law, carpets and rugs of Iranian/Persian origin may no longer be imported into the U.S. Please contact Sotheby's 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."

EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION OF PERSIAN/IRANIAN WORKS OF ART TO THE U.S.A
Please note that there may be restrictions on importing certain types of property of Persian/Iranian origin into the United States. Clients should enquire with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding the proper importation of items subject to such restrictions. Due to recent changes in U.S. law, carpets and rugs of Iranian/Persian origin may no longer be imported into the U.S. Please contact Sotheby's 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. This striking fragment appears to derive its design from a group of earlier carpets ascribed to Tabriz, although on examination, the knotting suggests a Northeast Persian attribution is possible for this piece. Classical Khorossan carpets often display designs derived from earlier courtly examples. There is another fragment of this same carpet in the Düsseldorf Kunstmuseum, published Concaro & Levi (1999), no.51, p.74.

For complete examples of the Tabriz medallion carpets see the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon, or the carpet formerly in the Christopher Alexander Collection, sold Sotheby's London, 7 November 2017, lot 89. The most similar, in terms of cartoon, is in the MAK, Vienna, see Völker (2001), Vienna, pp. 256 & 257, pl. 90. 

Concaro & Levi (1999): Concaro, E., & Levi. A., Sovrani Tappeti, exhibition catalogue, Milan, 1999, no.51, p.74

Völker (2001): Völker, A., Die orientalischen Knüpfteppiche im MAK, 2001, Vienna, pp. 256 & 257, pl. 90