An Azerbaijan silk embroidery, South Caucasus

worked in satin stitch and cross-stitch

Spink & Son, Ltd., London

Silk embroidered on ivory and indigo cotton gingham. Losses to embroidery due to oxidation scattered throughout and exposing gingham ground. Rejoined panel at lower end approximately 3 1/2 inches from the base and now with abrasions along seam and a vertical repaired slit. Some nicks and losses to the sides. Surface dirt. Some minor restitching in the burgundy ground of the medallion. Stretched and mounted on silk.
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 indented medallion of this embroidery echoes that on the Schürmann/Herrmann/Kirchheim figural embroidery, see Heinrich Kirchheim et al., Orient Stars, Stuttgart and London, 1993, pl. 42 , and a panel sold Christie's London, April 2, 2003, lot 41.  The border here is most similar to that on the cited figural embroidery as well as on another embroidery fragment once in the Kirchheim collection, see Kirchheim, op.cit., pl. 50, p. 75 and sold  Rippon Boswell, October 2, 1999, lot 18.   The palmette in the center of the medallion recalls those of Caucasian 'shield' carpets, for one example, see Kirchheim, op.cit., pl. 62, p. 127.