An Isphahan carpet, Central Persia

some cotton whites

Washington D.C., Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, The World at our Feet.  A Selection of Carpets from the Corcoran Gallery of Art, April 4 - July 6, 2003

Washington, D.C., Corcoran Gallery of Art, Masterpieces: European Arts from the Collection, August 25, 2007 - April 15, 2008

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. 13

In the upper third of the carpet the whites are cotton. In the lower two thirds the ivories are wool. Pile ranges from good, closely shorn 1/10in. lustrous wool with areas of wear and oxidation low to knotheads and foundation. Oxidized areas in palmettes showing warps and wefts. Repaired T-slit near center. Two small reweaves near center; one approximately 4 in. by 2 in., the other 3 in. by 2-1/2 in. A similar 2 in. by 3 in. reweave in lower right corner of field. A few smaller scattered reweaves. All four sides later reselvaged. Sides complete with original dark brown outer guard stripes, ends missing outer guard stripes and minor losses to guard borders. Velcro strip sewn on reverse along right side. Very flexible handle, sound fabric, good, honest 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 use of cotton for some of the whites here is unusual for 17th century Isphahan carpets, but not unprecedented, with a few examples being a rug sold in these rooms, December 16, 1998, lot 136; and another sold Christie's London, October 17, 1996, lot 407.  While the presence of cotton may suggest an Indian origin for these carpets, every other aspect of their design and structure is consistent with Safavid Persian weavings.   In this carpet, the design is not as symmetrical as it appears at first glance.  The bold palmettes along the central axis and the flanking horizontal palmettes do not mirror one other from end to end as is customary on most spiral-vine carpets.   As cotton remains white over time, rather than becoming ivory like wool, the cloudband and other motifs in cotton catch the eye and draw us in for a closer look.

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.