Around the World in 10 Rugs & Carpets

A 'Karapinar' rug fragment, South Central Anatolia, late 17th or early 18th century.
Estimate £50,000–80,000

This rug fragment is one of 21 works on offer from the acclaimed collection of lauded architect Christopher Alexander. With only a very few comparable works, this lot is almost unique in the Karapinar group and a truly exciting inclusion in the sale.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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'Emperor' silk carpet, Kum Kapi, Istanbul, Turkey, early 20th century after the original 16th century Persian, Safavid, design.
Estimate £200,000–300,000

This magnificent carpet is an extremely fine rendition of one of the most complex and sophisticated groups of classical carpets. This particular design is drawn from a pair of 16th-century examples known as the ‘Emperor Carpets’, one in the MAK, Vienna, the other in the Metropolitan Museum, New York. The offered work is of the highest calibre and is spectacular example of early 20th-century Turkish weaving.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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A Khorossan carpet fragment, Northeast Persia, 17th century.
Estimate £7,000–10,000

This exuberantly coloured fragment , of what would have been a larger gallery carpet, is another from the coveted collection of Christopher Alexander. A truly vibrant work which is clearly from the cartoon of the so-called ‘Niğde Carpet’ formerly in the McMullan collection and now in the Metropolitan Museum, New York.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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A pair of silk embroidered fragments, Ottoman Epirus, probably Ioannina, Greece, 17th century.
Estimate £10,000–15,000

These beautiful fragments , probably from a bed valance, retain their exuberant and radiant colours within the silks.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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An East Caucasian rug, 18th century.
Estimate £20,000–30,000.

Another champion in colour is this early Caucasian example which draws inspiration from the so called ‘Portuguese’ carpets of Khorossan. It belongs to a very small group of Caucasian 18th-century works which are inspired by Persian classical weavings. It is charming to see that what were once ships have now been interpreted as archaic birds and fish.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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A Karapinar carpet fragment, Central Anatolia, second half 16th century.
Estimate £40,000–60,000

This is certainly one of the most recognisable, and one of the earliest, of the Karapinar group . It has a provenance from to two very respected and known collections, the Bernheimer and the Wher Collections.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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A Teheran carpet, North Persia, circa 1910.
Estimate £15,000–20,000

This beautiful furnishing carpet is a testament to the discerning eye of much respected dealer Abdi Roubeni. Abdi’s career spans a lifetime and his ability to find such works of charm is almost without equal, Sotheby’s is delighted to include a selection of works from his collection.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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A pashmina cartouche compartment rug, probably Srinagar, Kashmir, late 19th/early 20th century.
Estimate £18,000–25,000

This is truly an example of master weaving . On a silk foundation this rug has a knot density almost without parallel. After the 16th-century compartment carpet in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and measuring only 4 foot in length this rug has over 3.9 million knots.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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A Saber Mashad carpet, Northeast Persia, second quarter 20th century, inscribed 'Saber'.
Estimate £30,000–40,000

Another example from respected dealer Abdi Roubeni is this carpet by master weaver Saber. Saber’s works take inspiration from the courtly works of the 17th century, this particular example is very unusual for its square format.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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A 'Kara Memi' 'Karapinar' gallery carpet fragment, South Central Anatolia, 18th century possibly earlier.
Estimate £40,000–60,000

Christopher Alexander himself says in his book A Foreshadowing of 21st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets of this present work ‘This is perhaps my personal favorite of the carpets in the collection'. A related example is recorded in the Textile Museum, Washington.

Rugs And Carpets: Including Distinguished Collections
23 April | London

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