Lot 157
  • 157

A LARGE SAFAVID VOIDED SILK VELVET PANEL, PERSIA, 18TH CENTURY |

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • 170 by 120cm. mounted
possibly a floorspread, the cut and voided velvet with repeat pattern of seated turbaned figures between a cypress tree and stylised tree containing facing birds, the border with stylised floral and stem motif, on modern stretcher 

Exhibited

label attached to reverse: International Exhibition of Persian Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 7 January - 7 March, 1931, no.MR 15.

Condition

Purchased originally not mounted, Persian Exhibition label affixed to reverse, subsequently mounted by previous owner. The central field composed of a single width of fabric, the side and end borders separately woven and attached to the central panel, the corners each composed of two pieces mitred together. The silk pile overall is in very good condition. There is a brownish mark on the cypress trees in rows three and four from the top, the second trees in from the left; there is light discolouration just discernible to the right of the central yellow bush with birds, seventh row from top; the velvet appears slightly greyish to the right of the central yellow motifs in the lower half of the field - this may be partially angle of pile: the textile has not been examined out of the frame for this condition report. Overall the textile is in good, very smart condition, 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."

Catalogue Note

The schematic depictions of the figures on the present panel derive from book illustration and show what an important source this was for the Safavid weavers. High quality velvets of the period are rare, see, for example, a velvet in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, inv. no. 52.20.11 from the mid-sixteenth century. For a further conversation on Safavid textile production, see N.H. Munroe, Silk Textiles from Safavid Iran, 1501–1722, Department of Islamic Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2012 (https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/safa_3/hd_safa_3.htm).