An Isphahan carpet, Central Persia

reduced in length

Vitall Benguiat, New York

The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Illustrated Handbook of The W. A. Clark Collection, The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Washington, D.C.: W. F. Roberts Company, 1928, p. 73
"Carpets for the Great Shah: The Near-Eastern Carpets from the W. A. Clark Collection," The Corcoran Gallery of Art Bulletin, Washington, D.C., Vol. 2, No. 1, October 1948, p. 18

Cut and reduced in length across the center of the carpet, stepped through the border. Pile generally low to knotheads and foundation, with some light blues and greens still having closely sheared 1/10 inch pile; oxidized browns low to foundation and many later repiled in lighter, chocolate brown with repiling also visible on reverse of carpet as more of a stitch than a weave. Scattered smaller areas of repiled moth damage, now faded. Sides with most of original side cords, now later overcast in red wool. Ends with partial end guard borders and later applied macramé finish that is now fraying and with losses. Flexible handle, sound fabric and condition. Please note that a license may be required to export textiles, rugs and carpets of Iranian origin from the United States. Clients should enquire with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding export requirements. Please check with the Carpet department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to this restriction or if you need assistance.
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 lively color in this carpet, where light blues and greens punctuate the design, is similar to that of the former British Rail Pension Fund Isphahan carpet, see Sotheby's London, October 16, 1996, lot 125 and another Isphahan carpet sold in these rooms, December 12, 1997, lot 110.  The border of this carpet is virtually identical to that on a carpet from the J. Paul Getty Museum, sold Sotheby's New York, December 8, 1990, lot 4; a rug once in the collection of J. P. Morgan sold here April 10, 1997, lot 114 and a rug in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, see Jessica Hallett, "From the Looms of Yazd and Isfahan," Carpets and Textiles in the Iranian World 1400-1700, Oxford and Genoa, 2010, fig. 12, p. 111.

Please note that a license may be required to export textiles, rugs and carpets of Iranian origin from the United States. Clients should enquire with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding export requirements. Please check with the Carpet department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to this restriction or if you need assistance.