A "Ukrainian" carpet, Russia, Ukraine or Moldova,

scattered repiled moth damage, oxidised taupe, full pile, upper end mainly with vestiges of original fringing, irregular reweave on left-hand corner across top of carpet approximately 20cm long and between 1 and 6cm deep, lower end with original fringing, slightly tatty, reweave in lower right-hand corner approximately 3 by 5cm., some scattered moth trails in field, one area approximately 25 by 5cm. irregularly shaped with patchy repiling possibly of a mothed area, pile generally around 6-7mm deep, probably near original length, colours still very fresh, would certainly benefit from a surface clean, overall in exceptional condition for type and 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."

The present lot, a gift from the Lucchesi-Palli family, of Castle Brunnsee in Styria, Austria to the mother of the current owner, was, by family tradition, the property of Marie Caroline Ferdinande Louise, duchesse de Berry (1798-1870). 

Born in 1798, Princess Caroline was the daughter of King Francis I of the Two Sicilies and his first wife, Maria Klementine of Austria. In 1816, at the age of 18, she married the nephew of King Louis XVIII, Charles Ferdinand, the duc de Berry, thus gaining the title of the duchesse de Berry. Just four years later, her husband was assassinated while the couple were attending the Opéra. After her husband's death, the duchesse devoted herself to her children, including her son, Henri, comte de Chambord, who was born after his father's death, and continued the direct Bourbon line to the throne.

The duchesse fled to Naples during the July Revolution of 1830, when her father-in-law, King Charles X was thrown from power. She became involved in unsuccessful attempts to restore the Bourbon dynasty, including the failed uprising in the Vendée in 1832. Following this incident, the duchesse was imprisoned in the fortress at Blaye, but was released a year later after giving birth to a child, and thus revealing her secret marriage to Ettore Count Lucchesi Palli, also known as the Prince of Campofranco and later the Duke della Grazia. The couple would go on to have three more children. Having been ostracised by the French Royal Family, she moved initially to Venice and then to Graz in Austria.  By 1838, she and her family were resident in Castle Brunnsee, where she lived until her death in 1870.