A border fragment of a red-ground velvet carpet, North India or Deccan, 17th century

with paired cream-coloured roses or carnations linked by feathery green saz leaves to larger stylised flower-heads separated by leafy stems, on a red ground

Acquired in London in 1982

border fragment, losses to pile and tears with loose threads, mounted on silk ground backing, as viewed
"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."

For a discussion of the structure and design features of court carpets made in North India and the Deccan under Mughal rule, see S. Cohen, 'Deccani Carpets: Creating a Corpus', in Haidar and Sardar 2011, pp.112-31. A section of the central panel of this velvet still exists in a private UK collection.