An Agra Carpet, India

Colour in reality is a more cerise red, (less plum/burgundy) as is typical of Agra carpets of this age. Generally even 5-6mm pile overall, especially to the cerise ground. Some oxidisation, resulting in pile down to foundation, to the taupe in some of centres of the palmettes, for example centre of lower border, and to some areas of the taupe detailing in palmettes and leaves, within the main field, especially in the lower right quadrant. This oxidisation is typical of period Agra carpets and does not detract from its appearance. There is some slight colour run within the turquoise colour in the border, visible on the reverse. There is a small `L' shaped cut area/hole, approximately 4 by 3cm. (Located 180cm. down from the top on the right hand side of the carpet). Original side cords, with some losses and abrasions. Warp fringes, irregular lengths. Ends with couched twisted thread overlocking. (Additonal digital photographs showing details are available if required via stephanie.douglas@sothebys.com). This carpet is a good size, with balanced colour and exuberant composition, and generally deep pile; overall in outstanding condition for 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 majority of carpets produced in India were from comparatively few centres and by the late 19^th century, from when the offered piece dates, the principal cities of production were Agra, Lahore and Amritsar (the latter with no jail production).  The weaving of carpets  within the jails flourished from around 1860 to early 1890, and enabled the  British Government to neutralise the costs of the penal system, by using the inmates to produce carpets. The market's revival was for commercial reasons and as demand increased largely the quality  suffered and production went into a marked decline from the beginning of the 20^th century. There was little to distinguish the designs or structure of the different jail productions, and they all adopted historical designs. Agra and Lahore jails were noted to have produced finer quality jail pieces, along with Montgomery and Yeraoda (producing around twenty-five more superior pieces a year). Importantly the carpet weaving in India was a continuation of the Mughal tradition. The cartoons used in the jails for  the 19th century production were generally copied from or inspired by earlier 'classical' carpets.  Two groups of late 16^th and 17^th century pile carpets of both Safavid Persian and Moghul Indian origin served as source material; those belonging to the Maharaja of Jaipur and the historic Bijapur Kingdom collection located at Asar Mahal, in Bijapur. For comprehensive discussion and illustration of 19^th century Indian carpet manufacture see Jail Birds, Exhibition of 19^th century Indian Carpets, Exhibition Catalogue, text by Ian Bennett in conjunction with Kennedy Carpets, Mall Galleries, London, 24th -28th March 1987, and for a larger example with comparable motifs see cat.no.5., Floral Carpet of Indo-Isfahan' design. This is an evocative example from the height of the revivalist period in the second half of the 19^th century, with its long stapled, lustrous wool pile, and soft, loose weave characteristics indicative of early Agra manufacture. This cited example is considered to have used an earlier Indian carpet, from Jaipur or Bijapur as its source.

A related Agra Carpet, circa 1875, (approx. 427 by 340cm), albeit with a different border type, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 28 April 2010, lot 174, Property from the Collection of Mrs Charles Wrightsman. For examples of Agra gallery carpets with similar motifs used in the main field of the present carpet, see Sotheby's, New York, 7^th December 2010, lot 265, (approx. 632 by 218cm). This finely worked carpet is one of the early and most sophisticated products of the workshops that were established in the jails of India in the 19th century. The faithful adaptation of a 17th century Isphahan cloudband and palmette design is also similar in colouring and composition to a carpet from the Collection of Mr and Mrs Reginald Toms, see Sotheby's London, The Toms Collection, 7 June 1995, lot 48.

A recent article, Behind Closed Doors, Carpets in the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur, Steven Cohen, Hali, Issue 171, Spring 2012, pp.62-65, brings our attention to the Indian and other knotted-pile carpets in this museum, through the recent publication, Dr Chandramani Singh, Treasure of the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur, co-published by Mapin Publishing and the Government of Rajastan's Department of Archaeology and Museums, 2010.  The collection, amongst its 19,000 pieces, includes Mughal carpets from the 17^th century through to Indian jail carpets from the 19^th century; these earlier carpets were originally part of the inheritance of the Maharajas of Amber (the traditional seat of the Kachhwaha Raijput rulers) and then Jaipur (modern city planned in 1727)  became the location of the accumulated artistic treasures of these Rajas. They were well documented when they moved originally from Amber to Jaipur, and at various times, groups of them have been on the international market, whilst  those still in the collection have remained behind closed doors with limited access for many years. The designs and collection were last published in 1905, by T. H. Hendley. Carpets from this collection were copied in Jaipur, and in the jails, using patterns brought to them, including in Agra.

For an example of a Persian, Isphahan carpet from the 17^th century (approx. 277 by 178cm), with design elements, including the cloud band and palmette motifs, which were the inspiration for the Agra carpets, see Sotheby's, New York, 14^th December 2006, lot 274.