A WEST PERSIAN RUG, POSSIBLY SENNEH OR BAKHTIARI |

Christie’s New York, 7 April, 1990, Lot 77
Hali, Issue 51, June 1990, APG, p.182

Dense pile overall, generally 1.5- 33 mm, flexible handle, glossy wool. The beige ground might originally have been safflower which is fugitive, as there are traces of a warmer peach colour at the bases of the knots (definitely not fuchsine!). Very outermost dark blue edge missing at both ends and ends now secured with linen tape on reverse, with closely trimmed warp fringe. The side cords partially rewrapped. Overall in outstanding condition for age.
"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."

This rug is one of only two examples known of this group which are wool piled, the other being the yellow ground rug dated 1816, in the Carpet Museum, Teheran, illustrated Azadi, S., Persian Carpets, Teheran, 1977, pl.25; they are related to a small number silk rugs, which share common design features, all feasibly of similar age and possibly from the same workshop.The common denominators are the spandrel design (sometimes also used for the medallion), and a trellis field filled with confronting plants. The Teheran carpet shares a bi-coloured trefoil outer border with the present lot, which is unique to these two wool pile examples. The carpet in Teheran, in addition to the spandrels common to the group also employs the medallion and the border design seen in the pale blue ground silk rug, sold Sotheby's London, 1 November, 2016, Lot 97 previously with Eberhart Herrmann. The comparable silk piled examples are: Pale blue ground, with medallion and spandrels, Sotheby’s London, cited above, also published Herrmann, E., Seltene Orientteppiche IV, No.68; Hali, Vo.5., No.2, Summer 1982, p.12 (E Herrmann advertisement) and Gurji, V., Oriental Rug Weaving, 1901, p.53; dark blue ground, floral medallion, Herrmann, E., Von Konya bis Kokand, No.61; ivory ground, no medallion, from the Estate of William A Coury, sold Sotheby’s New York, 16 December 2005, Lot 40; example cited in Herrmann advertisement, op.cit., from the estate of Mr and Mrs Percy Rockefeller, sold Parke Bernet New York, 11 & 12 March 1938, Lot 336.  A silk rug published Herrman, E, Seltene Orientteppiche V, No.58; discussed by Marcus Voigt in Hali Issue 137, p.83 may be from the same group, although lacks the spandrels and has plants in a single orientation. 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.