AN AGRA CARPET, NORTH INDIA |

the field design derived from 17th century Khorasan tree carpets

Measurements: Overall measurements:538 cm across the top, 540 across the bottom,700 along the left and right side, 705 cm through centre. The pile overall in very good condition, approximately 5mm in depth. Some old repairs and reweaves, including a large reweave in the upper border, visible in the illustrations, approximately 140 cm. in length at longest, irregularly shaped with one section projecting into the yellow inner guard and a small projection into the field. The blue ground of the field is abrashed and it appears that some of the blue dye had loose colour as there are bands of colour run associated with the abrash across the width of the carpet. In these areas the field has slight mottling of the colour and some blue has seeped into surrounding motifs. These areas might improve with specialist cleaning. in addition to the large reweave previously mentioned, there is a round reweave in the left hand border (see additional images), approximately 25cm in diameter, a couple of small patches in the blue ground and some minor localised reweaves and a vertical repaired split approx. 20cm in length in left hand border. A c. 8cm split (easily repaired) . Some minor oxidization to the tree trunks in second row; repaired fold line or tuck approx. 60 cm in length in upper right hand border; some minor spotting and marks from blacks in border. (Additional photographs of the areas described above are available on request) Ends with stitched tape to the reverse, some patches stiched to the reverse to strengthen repairs, top right and bottom left hand corner tips rewoven. The carpet would benefit from a professional clean and some improvement or reweaving of the large repair in upper border. Overall this is a very grand and splendid carpet, with a good field design (based on a 17th century Khorasan tree carpet), with good lucid colour and deep pile. Addendum: It is very possible there was an additional outer guard stripe which has been removed and the edges rebound at some point in the carpet's history.
"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."