Physical description
Large carpet of woolen pile on silk warp and weft, the main colour a dark burgundy-red, with numerous Chinese-inspired motifs (dragons, phoenixes, fu dogs, vases, fish pond). The outer border a reciprocating trefoil, asymmetrical at the short ends.
Place of Origin
Iran (made)
Date
ca. 1500-1550 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Warps Z2S, silk warps and wefts, wool pile
Dimensions
Length: 549 cm, Width: 310 cm, Weight: 40 kg
Object history note
The Chelsea Carpet is so called because the Museum purchased it from a dealer in Chelsea. Its origins are a mystery, although its quality suggests it came from one of the top rug-making workshops in sixteenth-century Iran.
Historical context note
Chinese art had long been a source of inspiration for Persian artists, but in this carpet the number of dragons, phoenixes, lions, floral sprays, and vases that show direct Chinese influence is astonishing. Even the fish-pond in the center resembles a Chinese celadon bowl.
Descriptive line
The 'Chelsea Carpet', Iran, early sixteenth century.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Ferrier, R. W. (ed), The Arts of Persia, Yale University Press, New Haven & London, 1989. 334p., ill. ISBN 3-8041-801-06230-8 Ch.8, pl.6
Tim Stanley ed., with Mariam Rosser-Owen and Stephen Vernoit, Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Middle East, London, V&A Publications, 2004; pp. 54-55, plate 67
The Chelsea Carpet, Anderson, P. Persian Classical Carpets: Oriental Rug Review, Vol. 10, 2. Feb. 1997
Exhibition History
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (The Millennium Galleries, Sheffield 14/01/2006-16/04/2006)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Setagaya Art Museum, Tokyo 01/10/2005-04/12/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas 03/04/2005-04/09/2005)
Palace and Mosque: Islamic Art from the Victoria and Albert Museum (National Gallery of Art, Washington 18/07/2004-06/02/2005)
Labels and date
THE CHELSEA CARPET was given its name simply because it was purchased from a dealer in the Kings Road, Chelsea. It is a 16th century Persian carpet and may have been woven in Tabritz, in the north-west of that country. It is one of the most beautiful and most important Persian carpets to have survived from that period.
This is a small-scale design for personal appreciation and is quite unlike the ceremonial grandeur of the Ardabil Carpet (displayed to the right). The ground of the Chelsea Carpet is like a private estate with grazing and fighting animals and blossom and fruit trees - there are exquisite details such as the ripe pomegranates which have burst open to reveal their seeds. There are elegant dragons in the blue part of the main border and small animal heads are placed among the tracery of the outer border. There is one unusual asymmetrical feature in the end borders: there are four curving red niches at one end and only three at the other. It is possible that these niches indicate place-settings for guests who would be seated around the carpet, with the three most important along one end. In which case the central motifs may represent tableware - central roundel is certainly like a Chinese celedon bowl and there are Chinese-style vases of flowers to either side. Twenty-five people could be comfortably accommodated. [Used until 10/1997]
The Chelsea Carpet
Iran
1500-50
The main field contains two large X-shaped compositions made up of large and small medallions. They are balanced by the central device - two vases of flowers on elaborate stands, set on either side of a fish pond. Half of this central device is repeated at either end. The densely decorated field and border includes many animals, shown in repose or in combat.
The history of the carpet is unknown. It is called the Chelsea carpet because it was purchased from a dealer in that part of London.
Wool warp (Z2S), weft and pile
Museum no. 589-1890 [Jameel Gallery]
Production Note
Possibly Kirman?
Materials
Wool; Silk (fiber)
Techniques
Weaving
Subjects depicted
Dragons; Vases; Phoenix; Pomegranates; Lion (animal); Fishponds
Categories
Islam; Textiles
Collection code
MES
