An Isphahan carpet, Central Persia

end borders re-attached

Henry G. Marquand Collection, sold American Art Association, New York, January 23, 1903, lot 1314
Vitall Benguiat, New York

Washington, D.C., Corcoran Gallery of Art, Carpets for the Great Shah, October 3 - November 16, 1948

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. 15, illustrated p. 21

Both ends with major borders re-attached and probably missing approximately 1/2 - 1 inch each end, however field design and inner guard borders are complete and intact. Pile generally good, ranging from near original closely shorn 1/8 inch with areas of wear and oxidation low to knotheads and foundation. Dark browns oxidized to foundation. Scattered repiling to old moth damage at both ends and some foldwear; now faded. Small scattered old reweaves; also faded and lighter. Largest, L-shaped reweave is approximately 5 inch by 12 inch in lower left border. Small repaired slit in left side outer guard border. Partially rewoven outer guard borders, mostly along left edge. Some scattered moth damage near center of carpet; not extensive. Missing outer guard stripes on all four sides, now with later overcasting. Very flexible handle, lustrous wool, luminous color and good 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.

At the 1903 auction of the Estate of Henry Marquand, the top lot was a Persian carpet and half of the top ten lots were carpets.  Benguiat purchased the top lot, as well as seven other carpets including this one.  As a sign of the esteem in which carpets and furnishings were held at the time, the sales totals for decorative arts were over double those for paintings.  In its article covering the Marquand sale, the New York Times speculated that Vitall Benguiat was purchasing solely on behalf of Senator Clark.  Benguiat denied this, and while he did sell some pieces to Clark, he held on to the most expensive carpet from that day.  Eventually he sold that carpet at auction in 1932 where it went to French & Co., who in turn sold it to John D. McIlhenny, and it was left with his collection to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

The placement of the palmettes, leaves and cloudbands in this carpet, as well as the more unusual pomegranate motifs are shared with a fragmentary Isphahan carpet formerly in the collection of Alisa Mellon Bruce, sold Christie's London, April 25, 2012, lot 114.

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.