A Qashqa'i carpet, Southwest Persia

silk and wool wefts

Pile generally good, near original 1/8in. Small scattered areas of foldwear showing knotheads. Dime-sized repaired hole in center. Rewoven area at lower end of lower pendant anchor, approximately 20in. by 10in, very well executed and hard to detect. Small central blossom with fuchsine dye corroded to knotheads. Original red and green twisted selvages with small areas of later overcasting. Original flatwoven end finishes and warp fringes with losses. Very supple handle, lustrous wool, luminous color. 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 with such enquiries
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.

Finely woven with silk in the wefting, Qashqa'i carpets such as the present lot are known as Khan carpets after an inscribed carpet from the McCoy Jones Collection now in the M.H. de Young Museum, San Francisco, see Hali, issue 25, pl. 4, p. 18.  Related examples sold at auction include Christie's London, 6 April 2006, lot 70; Sotheby's London, 27 April 2005, lot 68; and Sotheby's New York, 1 December 1984, lot 111 from the David Black and Clive Loveless Collection.