A Mughal voided velvet dais cover, India

Photograph is upside down in the catalogue. Colours are a good colour match tonally. There is wear overall, abrasions and splits. Scattered areas or couching and some splitting. The on-line high resolution image on-line gives a good idea of the 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. 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."

This Mughal textile was probably woven as a dais cover or balcony hanging. 

 

The art of Safavid Persia was so appreciated at the 16th century Mughal court that Emperor Akbar (r.1556-1605) established workshops in India employing Persian craftsmen. Early production re-enterpreted Persian models using an purely Indian aesthetic. The classical palmette, flowerhead and serrated leaf lattice employed here is also seen on Safavid weaving, for Persian examples see, Spuhler, Friedrich, Islamic Carpets and Textiles in the Keir Collection, London, 1978, Nos.97,99 & 100. Related 17th century Mogul carpets and textiles include a fragment in the David Collection, Copenhagen, see Woven Treasures, ibid, Cat.No.50; a silk coverlet published in Herrmann, Eberhart, Asiatische Teppich-und Textilkunst, V. III, Munich, 1991, pl.69 and a velvet in the Keir Collection, Keir, ibid, pp. 200 and 211, No.120.

For contemporary Moghul depictions of such carpets being used on a jharoka-i khass-u-'amm (raised seat of the emperor) see: Chtarman, Shah Jahan Nimbed in Glory, dated 1627-8, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Inv.No.55.121.10.24R; and King of the World: The Padshahnama, London, 1997, pl.19, Folio 116B. For further information on this technique, see von Folsach, Kjeld and Keblow Bernsted, Anne-Marie, Woven Treasure - Textile from the World of Islam, Copenhagen, 1993, pp.81-86.

For a comparable Mughal voided velvet and metal-thread dais cover see Sotheby's, London, 6th April 2011, lot 471.