THE BECHIRIAN 'ANIMAL AND TREE' RUG, AZERBAIJAN |

Tarica Ltd, Paris, 25 January 1975

Bechirian. R., Tapis, Paris 1976, p.250
Spuhler. F., The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, London, 1998, pl. 35, p.144

Overall measurements: 154cm across the top, 149cm across the bottom, 222cm the left hand side, 222cm the right hand side. 229cm vertically through the middle. Pile low, scattered spot areas down to knotheads and foundation. There are old scattered areas of re-piling throughout, visible as lighter colours in the image. Line of repair through upper row of animals, warps appear to be continuous suggesting this is an old fold wear repair. There is a vertical split between the inner guard and field in the lower left corner, approximately 11cm long, would benefit from attention. Personal inspection is advised. Would certainly benefit from judicious restoration and conservation. With later sidecords. Losses to each end which are visible from the photographs. Fabulous range of colour, including light emerald abrashed to fir green, sky blue, azure navy blue, light aubergine, salmon pink, dark madder, ivory, walnut, dark apricot, saffron yellow, taupe. 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."

For an overview of the genre, see 'Animal and Tree Carpets An Amorphous Group' Bennett. I., Hali, 1994, issue 73, pp. 90-99 and Appendix pp.111-112.  Bennett identifies 19 related rugs, and groups these rugs loosely, primarily according to design features, into 7 sub-groups.  This example is not illustrated in the articles (and its whereabouts were unknown to him in 1994), but is the rug listed as B7, 'The Bechirian rug'.  Amongst the other examples of the group it is most closely related to is 'The Worwosky rug' (B6), also not located, illustrated in the Appendix, ibid., with which it shares the cypress trees springing from boxes reminiscent of raised beds, the central flowering tree, the animal combats and horses; charming and naïf renditions of motifs borrowed from classical Persian carpets.  Bennett (1994): 'Animal and Tree Carpets An Amorphous Group' Bennett. I., Hali, 1994, issue 73, pp. 90 - 99 and Appendix pp.111 - 112.