Middle East, Textile. Pair of textile panels, tapestry-woven wool with embroidered design of central cypress tree on red ground, Yazd, Iran, 1850-1870.

This object was purchased in Iran by Robert Murdoch Smith on behalf of the Museum, from an un-named Persian source in Tehran. It was part of a batch of fifteen objects, including woven and embroidered textiles, metalwork, carved stone and painted pasteboard. Murdoch Smith wrote: "I have purchased [these] objects which I think would be very suitable for the Museum. I will retain them at your disposal should you decide on acquiring them, and if not, I do not object to keeping them myself. It is almost impossible to get Persians to keep such articles pending a reference from London, especially as there are several people now in Teheran ready to buy, notably Baron Reuter's Agent, and one of the members of the Austrian Legation" (V&A Archive).

1061-1875