- 97
A West Persian silk rug, possibly Joshugan
Description
- silk, pile
- approximately 173 by 146cm; 5ft. 8in., 4ft. 10in.
Provenance
Robert Khan
Eberhart Herrmann (by 1982)
An anonymous German Collector
Sold by the estate of the above to benefit a Charitable Foundation
Literature
Christie’s New York, September 20, 1979, catalogued as Heriz (sold for the then record price of $44,000)
Art & Auction, December 1982/January 1983, front cover and Benedict, p. 61, Rosaline Candlin and Howard, Constance, ‘A Nineteenth-Century Persian Rug’
Condition
"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."
Catalogue Note
Herrmann, in attributing this published carpet to Joshugan, acknowledged it as being a puzzle. The design broadly relates to the large group of Safavid inspired designs from the 16th through to the 18th century which included the garden and the shrub lattice designs. The present example is particularly unusual and charming with the pomegranates at each cross-over of the lattice leaf lattice, and the border with alternating cypress tree and foliate motifs, with the appealing inclusion of small facing birds. These designs migrated to the central and northwest areas of Persia, and were taken up by the independent weavers of Joshugan and Kurdistan. Herrmann notes that the present carpet resembles an example in the Tehran Museum, described as Baktiari, but not of Baktiari technical structure; along with the comparable example cited above, which is of the same structure, it is possible they all belong to the same group.
Please note that there may be restrictions on the import of property of Iranian origin into some or all member countries of the Gulf Co-Operation Council. Any buyers planning to import property of Iranian origin into any of these countries should satisfy themselves of the relevant import regime. Sotheby's will not assist buyers with the shipment of such items into countries of the Gulf Co-Operation Council.
Addendum: In addition to the examples cited above, the article in Art & Auction op.cit notes two further rugs that might ‘ultimately receive a Joshuqan provenance’: Sotheby’s New York April 10 & 11, 1981, lot 424, with yellow ground with plant trellis, similar spandrels to the present lot, 6ft 2 in by 4 ft 9 in, sold for $47,000 (excluding Buyers’ Premium, then 10%) and Sotheby’s New York, December 16, 1978, lot 82 (described as a Tabriz), again with similar spandrels. Another example is also noted, present whereabouts unknown, which apparently has an identical border and was sold by Parke-Bernet Galleries in March, 1938 from the Estate of Mr and Mrs Percy Rockefeller (for $350).