A Yarkand Silk Carpet, East Turkestan

Herrmann, Eberhart, Von Uschak bis Yarkand, Seltene Orientteppiche aus vier Jahrhunderten, Munich, Cat. No. 111, p. 157.

Measurements: 198cm across the top, 196cm across the bottom, 381cm along the left side, 382cm along the right side. Overall in very good condition. Lovely flexible handle, soft lustrous silkl. Densely woven 2-3mm pile overall. Minor areas of wear centre of outer border with blue warp threads visible as blue dots. Minor oxidisation to brown, for example centre lower border which also has some minor wear. Original pale blue flatweave knotted fringe at both ends with original overcast sidecords. Some minor losses to the top end fringing in the centre (as visible in the photograph). A beautiful and elegant carpet with lovely blue abrash and delicate green highlights within foliage.
"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 is an example from a distinct group of silk carpets with a ‘Pomegranate’ design, from East Turkestan, produced in the oasis towns of Yarkand and Kashgar, in the 19^th century. They have a marked vertical axis and the main design incorporates barely visible, small vases along the edge of both end of the main field, from which emanate the elegant pomegranate fruiting stems with small three-point leaves. The main border design with repeat pattern of small rosettes, against madder, alternating with golden or blue narrow guards with variations of a repeat motif, contrast against the usually azure blue, sometimes dark golden yellow, grounds of the main field. 

For comprehensive discussion of this carpet type and comparable Yarkand examples to the present carpet, with the same ‘Pomegranate-Vase’ pattern, together with rosette motifs in the borders, see Bidder, Hans, Carpets from Eastern Turkestan, Washington International Associates, 1979, Chp.III, The Khotan Carpets, 1.The Vase-Pomegranate Pattern, pp.49-53, plates I & II, which illustrates an example with the pomegranate design against an indigo ground, 17th/ 18th century, and another against a saffron yellow ground, 18th century. For another similar comparable Pomegranate carpet, Yarkand/Kashgar, 19th century, with azure blue ground and red, yellow and ivory borders, see Spuhler, Friedrich, The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection: Carpets and Textiles, London, 1988, East Turkestan Carpets, No.50, pp.196-199.