Ivan da Silva Bruhns

Blondeel-Deroyan, Paris
Acquired from the above by the present owner, 2002

Susan Day, Art Deco and Modernist Carpets, London, 2002, p. 128 (for related carpets)

Overall in very good condition. When viewed in person, the piece present with warmer colors and a more intense purple pattern than seen in the catalogue illustration. Pile ranges from good, dense, near original 1/4in. to approximately 1/3in. slightly matted in areas of surface wear. Sides with original one-cord wool selvages, flatwoven ends folded under and sewn. Some light surface dirt. Flexible handle, sound fabric, good overall condition. An extraordinary carpet by Ivan Da Silva Bruhns, remarkable by its scale, condition and visual impact.
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.

Ivan Da Silva Bruhns’ spectacular carpets are among the most coveted French Art Deco designs. Born in Paris from Brazilian parents, Da Silva Bruhns trained as a painter before turning to carpet design. After discovering Berber rugs at the exhibition of Moroccan art at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 1917, he was inspired to teach himself about carpet making by unraveling oriental carpets. He continued to learn more about the technique and eventually founded a workshop, the Manufacture de Savigny, which had a showroom in Paris and was celebrated for the highest quality of its carpets.

Conceived during the age of Cubism, Da Silva Bruhn’s work is deeply inspired by African, Oceanic, American Indian and mostly Pre-columbian art, as shown by his abstract compositions, geometric patterns, and subdued color palettes. His carpets are strikingly modern, capturing the essence of the French Art Deco pieces displayed at the Société des Artistes Décorateurs and featured in many Art Deco interiors, such as those designed by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Among Da Silva Bruhns’ most celebrated patrons was the iconic Maharajah of Indore, who commissioned several carpets for his Manik Bagh in Indore. 

The present lot epitomizes Da Silva Bruhns’ talent to compose a perfectly balanced, yet highly pictorial carpet. Its rich, warm coloration with nuanced tones of ochre and aubergine, contrasts harmoniously with the radical geometric pattern, parallel contours, and intricate chevron and decorative motifs.  It presents with spectacular visual impact and extraordinary quality, acting both as a sophisticated focal point and instrumental design element around which to curate a room interior.