A Lavar Kirman pictorial carpet, Southeast Persia,

near original condition, original sides and ends, some oxidisation to browns and taupes, lower part vine on left hand side also partially oxidised; pile otherwise generally good even, closely sheared overall
"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 Arcadian scene depicted in this carpet clearly reflects European influences infiltrating Persia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It shows Pomona, goddess of fruit and orchards, dancing to music played by the seated Vertumnus, god of the seasons and change who, according to Ovid, was able to take any form. Here, Vertumnus is in the guise of a faun, and is entertaining the goddess by playing the aulos. The depiction of this Ovidian fable is not a only a sign of general European influences over the carpet production in Kirman at the turn of the century, but the interpretation of a specific work of western art. The cartoon for the lot offered here was based on a Gobelins tapestry entitled 'Dance of the Nymph,' from the series Subjects of the Roman Fables, after Raphael, woven on three occasions for Louis XIV between 1686 and 1704. The story of Vertumnus and Pomona was particularly popular in the eighteenth century and it was immortalized in a myriad of art forms from textiles to porcelain. With the revival of historic styles in the second half of the nineteenth century, the story of the goddess of fruit and the god of the seasons became well-known and fashionable again. In various forms it eventually reached those far corners of the world where European art was becoming very much in demand with rulers who were seeking respect from western governments of the time. Royal residences across Persia and Turkey were often decorated in lavish European styles and western furnishing was used to decorate rooms. Shah Nasir al'Din (1848-1898) was one those rulers with a taste for European art, and he had a copy of 'Dance of the Nymph' hanging in the Golestan Palace, presumably providing specific inspiration for the cartoon for carpets with this design, such as the present lot. In fact, there are numerous pieces with the design are known, including one of particularly high quality sold in these rooms on 17 April, 2007. Other rugs with identical or very similar compositions were recently offered at Sotheby's London on 17 April, 2007; Sotheby's New York, 6 June, 2007 and Christie's London, 29 April, 2004, lot 50.