Two Syrian silk and metal-thread flatwoven panels, second half 19th century

These flatwoven panels are descended from the family of Giulio Rosati (1858 – 1917), an Italian orientalist painter of the late 19^th century. Carpets and textiles feature prominently in his paintings including a near identical panel to the present lot in his watercolour entitled A game of backgammon (fig. 1). Similar textiles were used to form over-robes (Aba), see, for example, one in the MET, New York (acc.no. C.I.41.86.10).