A Heriz silk prayer rug, Northwest Persia,

Sold for the Benefit of the Jesuit High School, O'Gallerie, Portland, Oregon, July 14-16, 2008, lot 678

Very good, near original 1/8 inch dense pile overall. Original four cord selvages with small breaks, losses, and minor repairs. Lower end with remnants of ivory flatwoven end finish, now with uneven warp fringes. Upper end with minor (1-2 rows of knots) losses to outer end ivory guard stripes, now with uneven warp fringes. Supple, blanket-like handle. Unusually thick, dense pile and very good overall condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

With some exceptions, weavings produced in the area south and west of the Savalan Massif, about forty miles east of the city of Tabriz, are most often named after the largest town in the vicinity: Heriz.  Almost all Heriz weavings can be characterized by a rectilinear medallion design that has changed little over time, symmetrical knotting, relatively low knot density, and the dominance of madder and indigo colors that are often punctuated with yellows, browns and sometimes greens.  Pieces from the mid and late nineteenth century tend to have particularly attractive color palettes that, while often saturated or brilliant, are never harsh.  The lot offered here is unusual for a Heriz weaving in many respects; its material, size, and design all differ from the traditional Heriz canon.  As examplified on the piece offered here, silk weavings attributed to Heriz are always extremely pliable and, unlike their woolen counterparts, finely woven. In may ways, Heriz silk rugs resemble silks produced in nearby Tabriz.  Unlike woolen carpets and occasional rugs from Heriz, silks from the area can be characterized by finely-drawn motifs executed in a curvilinear fashion.  Medallions, floral patterns, inscription cartouches, and figural elements are all commonly used in Heriz silk rugs and carpets, such as the ones sold Sotheby's New York, Carpets from the Estate of Vojtech Blau, December 14, 2006, lots 14 and 90.  Some suggest that, because of their shared design characteristics with Tabriz silks, these finely-woven pieces cannot be attributed to Heriz with certainty, see Murray L. Eiland Jr. and Murray Eiland III, Oriental Carpets, London, 1998, p. 93.  The design elements of the lot offered here are unusual for a Heriz silk weaving: the square center 'medallion' and the half palmettes within, the column-like supports, and the bulbous finials, enriched with vegetal motifs that are angular in detail but curvilinear in overall appearance, create a possibly unique composition.  The amalgamation of design characteristics make this rug even more unusual and reminiscent of a Fereghan weaving in appearance, such as lot 151 in this sale.  The directional composition suggests that this piece might have been used as a prayer rug, however this cannot be determined with certainty due to the lack of a distinct mihrab.  The floral motifs, shown from both above and the side, relate this piece to garden rugs and carpets that were very popular with the weavers of Tabriz throughout the centuries.  For another interpretation of the garden design in a Tabriz silk carpet, see lot 300 in this sale.  Viewing the lot here as a garden rug, the midnight blue center of the square field and the similarly-colored bands become a pool with surrounding canals, the framing floret-fret areas are flowerbeds, and the half palmettes can be foliage.  Irregardless of the interpretation of the design, this rug is an outstanding and unique example of a Heriz silk weaving whose extremely high quality of workmanship and brilliant color palette attest to the mastery of weavers from this area.