A Safavid carpet, Khorasan, Northeast Persia

partially jufti knotted 

Overall measurements; 307cm. across the top, 311cm. across the bottom, 755cm along the left side, 753cm. along the right side. Pile variable from 3-4mm in the pale blue and pale greens, to wear to foundation and extensive areas of re-piling particularly in the reds and an area of piecing and re-weaving across width of field just above central medallion. Some splits and weak areas. This needs a thorough clean. Highly decorative with beautiful drawing. In solid condition for its age. EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION OF PERSIAN/IRANIAN WORKS OF ART TO THE USA. Due to recent changes in the U.S. law, carpets and rugs of Iranian/Persian origin can no longer be imported into the U.S. Please check with the sale administrator if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to these or any other restrictions 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Notable changes have occurred to the historic attribution of some classical Persian carpets. Jufti-knotted carpets, including the present carpet, were historically believed to have been woven in the 17^th/18^th centuries, in Northwest Persia, South Caucasus or Herat, but are now generally reattributed to Khorasan in Northeast Persia on the basis of their structure. The incorporation of the quatrefoil arabesque and palmette fields and the distinctive border with pomegranate palmettes, cypress trees and curved floral sprays being distinctive design elements. 

See Rossi Sale, Estate of the Late Giuseppe Rossi, Sotheby’s, London, 12 March 1999, lot 1541, A Herat carpet, Northwest Persia, 17^th century (cut and reduced in length: approximately 535 by 362cm), with a similar border design, with similar palmettes facing inwards rather than outwards, and the same inner guard design.

See Christie’s, London, 14 April 1976, lot 25, An Important Herat carpet, 17^th century (approximately 767 by 390cm), with a magenta field, with several distinctive quatrefoils including one of similar shape to the central group in the present carpet. For another 'Herat' Carpet, 17^th century (approximately 327 by 174cm), with a madder field and palmette and lanceolate leaf design, and the same border type, see Sotheby’s, London, 6 May 1977, lot 79. A similar border design is found on a pair of 'Herat' carpets in the Lisbon Museum of Art.

Literature: Achdijian, Albert, Le Tapis, Paris, 1949, pp.96-97, discusses a carpet described as Isphahan, 16^th century (approximately 30ft by 12ft; 914cm by 366cm) with similar border design with the delicate cypress trees. Ellis, Charles Grant, Oriental carpets in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, London, 1988, pp.214-215., discusses 17^th century Indian carpets with Persian patterns and illustrates two similar carpets, from the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, Inv. Nos.68 & 69. figs.59a & 59.b, which both have repeat patterns of distinctive quatrefoil arabesques and palmette field designs and the same border type as the present carpet. See also Hallett, Jessica, From the looms of Yazd and Isfahan, in Carpets and Textiles from the Iranian World, Oxford, 2010, VI, Fig.10, p.109 for carpet with repeat design formed of the quatrefoil medallions from the Capela de Santa Luiza, lisbon, 1914, Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon, inv.no.67Tp.

EMBARGO ON IMPORTATION OF PERSIAN/IRANIAN WORKS OF ART TO THE USA. Due to recent changes in the U.S. law, carpets and rugs of Iranian/Persian origin can no longer be imported into the U.S.

Please check with the sale administrator if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to these or any other restrictions or if you need assistance with such enquiries.