A Caucasian 'Shield' carpet,

Schürmann, Cologne, 22 October 1975

Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection

Pinner,  Robert & Franses, Michael, Hali 1/1, London, 1978, p.8., fig.9

Spuhler. Friedrich, Carpets and Textiles, The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, London, 1998, Cat.No.34, pp.142-143

Technical analysis: Warp: Silk, Z2S, natural ivory Weft: Silk, Z spun, 2 shoots, light madder red Pile: Wool, symmetrical knot Density: 5 horizontal, 5-6 vertical Sides and Ends: not extant Colors: deep blue, mid-blue, light blue, madder red, yellow, tobacco, soft rose, gold, ivory, walnut Pile generally low to knotheads throughout with dark browns oxidised and repiled in areas; scattered areas of foldwear and moth damage also with repiling and some showing spot foundation; scattered pin holes due to moth damage. Missing out guard borders on all four sides, with each side now sewn to cloth tape on reverse. Very flexible handle, lustrous wool, restored and respectable condition for age. Color warmer, lighter and softer than it shows in the catalogue.
"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."

'Shield' carpets, such as the lot offered here, have long been revered by collectors and scholars as they are among the rarest and most sophisticated weavings from the Caucasus. As such, these rugs were the subject of choice for a thorough discussion in the inaugural issue of Hali magazine, see Robert Pinner and Michael Frances, "Caucasian Shield Carpets," Hali, vol.1, no.1, pp. 4-22. Dating these carpets continues to be slightly controversial among scholars who variously date these pieces to either the eighteenth or nineteenth century. Whereas Charles Grant Ellis believes all of the 'shield' carpets to be from the nineteenth century, Spuhler dates only a few examples to the 1800s, believing most to be from the late eighteenth century. In their article in Hali, Pinner and Frances suggest that 'shield' carpets were woven contemporaneously with 'Kuba Afshan' pattern rugs, that is, between 1790 and 1840. As opposed to dating, where there is much debate, scholars agree that knotted-pile weavings with the shield design originate from the East Caucasus, more specifically from Shirvan. The 'shield' group comprises only some twenty known pieces, thus these rare carpets are much in demand amongst collectors. The wool of these pieces is always of great quality, characterized by a highly lustrous sheen. Their cotton-and-silk warps make 'shield' carpets particularly strong. In numerous cases the thin weft shoots are also of silk. The foundation's silk content allows for a tight and fine weave that is not the only feature that makes 'shield' carpets unusual for a Caucasian weaving; the detail, grandeur, and careful placement of the oversized design elements is another characteristic rarely seen in pieces from the area. In spite of their structural peculiarities and majestic archaic design elements, these works maintain a vibrancy of coloring and stylization of design that remains Caucasian in sensibility. To complement the dominating shield design, which is believed to be derived from the 'lotus palmette' or 'Ottoman tulip' motif, the lot offered here incorporates numerous other elements, such as stylized flowers and serrated leaves. Because of the shield design's similarity with earlier floral motifs, Spuhler believes this group of weavings to be influenced by Safavid 'Vase' carpets, see Friedrich Spuhler, Oriental Carpets in the Museum of Islamic Art, Berlin, Washington, D.C., 1987, p.97. Ellis suggests that the serrated leaves framing the shields are highly stylized cypress trees, see Charles Grant Ellis, Early Caucasian Rugs, Washington, D.C., 1975, pg. 96. The border drawing in the lot offered here is somewhat unusual as, instead of the usual curled leaf design, it consists of a delicate red arabesque alternating with stylized blue flowers flanking a crescent shape. A very similar 'shield' carpet with identical border was sold Sotheby's New York, Carpets from the Estate of Vojtech Blau, 14 December, 2007, lot 98. For related examples, see M. S. Dimand and Jean Mailey, Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973, p.268, fig. 230; and Sotheby's, London, October 1985, lot 646.