A Ziegler Mahal carpet, Central Persia,

The Freud Museum, London, sold Christie's London, 3 May 2001, lot 100

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

Gillian Cutbill, "An Obsessive Collector," Hali, vol. 33, 1987, pp. 10-12

Pile generally very closely sheared 1/10 inch with light browns and taupes oxidized to knotheads and areas of wear in field also low to knotheads; scattered areas of foldwear and oxidation showing spot foundation. Some light browns repiled. Repaired foldwear slits in borders. Partially rewoven outer side guard borders. Small scattered reweaves. Field appears to have been bleached to make it an even ivory color. Selvages with some fraying and minor losses. Ends with remnants of original flatwoven end finish and knotted warp fringes, upper end with half of original flat weave; lower end with less---a few remnants. Supple handle, lustrous wool, handsome soft color palette and large scale overall design; sound fabric and 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.

The Manchester-based Ziegler and Company was the first western firm known to have organised the production and export of oriental carpets in Persia. The company's base in 1867 was in Sultanabad, also known as Mahal and now Arak, in the central part of the country . Originally, the company was not involved in manufacturing and distributing carpets in the west but focused only on importing European textiles to Persia. However, as Oriental carpets became increasingly popular in Europe and America in the third quarter of the nineteenth century due to museum exhibitions and world's fairs, Ziegler and Co. began exporting Persian weavings to the west.  By the late 1800s it developed into the leading rug exporter in the country.  At first, the company only shipped available pieces made by local weavers to Europe and was not involved in the actual production of carpets.  However, as demand increased, Ziegler and Co. began employing its own weavers and started producing carpets from its own designs.  These patterns were drawn partially according to a European perception of oriental weavings. For a detailed discussion on the designs, please refer to Annette Ittig, "Ziegler's Carpet Cartoons," Hali, April-May, 1995, Issue 80, pp. 82-87.  Ziegler and Co. set up its factory in Sultanabad not only because it was on the Tehran-Bagdad trading route but also because the site had already had an existing and booming cottage industry that employed many experienced craftsmen. In fact, by 1894 the company had expanded its operations to over a hundred nearby villages. The carpets woven in Sultanabad were mostly based on cartoons produced by both Ziegler and Co. and its western retailers. The company's designers often borrowed motifs from carpets produced in other regions with some, such as Serrabends and Fereghans, being particularly popular and much-used. As none of the carpets produced for Ziegler and Co. bear logos or inscriptions, it is difficult to determine which pieces were woven for or by the British firm and one can only make assumptions about a carpet's origin based on its design and overall look. The fact that many other workshops in Sultanabad also catered to western clients and produced carpets with designs and color palettes with a European sensibility, makes identifying genuine Ziegler pieces even harder.  Ziegler carpets can have ornate floral center and corner medallions on a plain ground, as well as light-colored fields with subtly contrasting overall designs, such as the lot offered here. Interestingly, the herati and boteh patterns were never in much demand and therefore these motifs were used much less frequently.  Ziegler's carpets were distributed all over Europe and the Americas. In Central Europe, where  there was a long-standing interest in rugs and carpets, Persian works were especially popular. In Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire oriental weavings were among the most valued objects of any household.  The carpet offered here also originates from one of those homes: it belonged to Sigmund Freud who acquired the piece for his home in Vienna.  Interestingly, Freud's brother-in-law was a carpet dealer and while there is no evidence suggesting that Freud purchased this piece from him, there is a distinct possibility that there were transactions between them.  When Freud left Vienna for London in 1938 he transferred his entire collection, including the lot offered here, to his new home. Freud lived at 20 Maresfield Gardens, in Hampstead, where this carpet was laid on the floor of his dining room and where it remained even after his death in 1939. In 1986 the house was turned into a museum dedicated to Freud's life and work.