A Kirman rug, Southeast Persia

with an inscription panel, the inscription reading, "By order of Aga Buhjat al-Mulk, designed by Fursat Shirazi, woven by Abu'l-Qasem Kirmani," Dated 1316  (1898-9).  Knot count 10 horizontal; 9 vertical cm

Sotheby's New York, March 22, 1980, lot 131

The cartouches in the border depict various peoples of the world, with the inscriptions identifying them, beginning in the bottom left proceding clockwise, as Ottoman Turkish, American, African, Iranian, European, Roman, Indian, Chinese, Arab and Australian. This is one of a small group of finely woven Kirman rugs designed by a miniature painter, Fursat Shirazi, and executed in the workshops of the masterweaver Kirmani.  There appear to be three other examples undoubtedly woven from the same cartoon, all bearing the same inscriptions and date with slight variations in the coloring of the birds and animals. There is one in the Carpet Museum of Iran, Teheran, see "Das Neue Teppiche-Museum Iran," Hali, vol. 1, no. 1, Spring 1978, pl. IV; one sold Christie's London April 30, 1998, lot 153 and cover, and a silk version sold most recently Christie's London, October 16, 2003 lot 99.