An Aubusson carpet, after a design by Stéphane Boudin, France

reduced in size, woven horizontally, one corner with inserted woven mark OB

Reduced in size; cuts running along one long and one short end. Some minor scattered surface abrasions exposing foundation. Some scattered small slits most at color changes. Some scattered minor spot stains not extensive. In good overall condition, will enhance with some minor restoration to slits.
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.

According to the owners, this carpet formerly bore a label on reverse reading "family dining room, The White House." They believed that this carpet was used in the family dining room of the White House during the Kennedy administration.  A carpet of essentially the same design, with identical lobed quatrefoils, thin dotted border and flower bouquets enclosed in wreaths, was used in the State Dining room of the White House in the Kennedy years and another carpet from the estate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was sold Sotheby's New York, April 23-26, 1996, lot 42. These carpets are identical to the one woven for Lady Olive Baillie for Leeds Castle, Kent and were produced after a design by the famed decorator and the director of Maison Jansen, Stéphane Boudin.  Mrs. Kennedy was an admirer of Boudin and commissioned him to decorate a number of rooms in the White House.  The initials "OB" in the border of the present lot refer to the workshops of Ohan Berberyan where carpets were woven for many leading designers of the twentieth century.