Carpet
1600-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This monumental carpet was probably woven in Isfahan during the seventeenth century, either for export or for the domestic market in Iran. The design is a densely packed trellis formation of dramatic large flowers (lotus, prunus and more) and feathery leaves, on scrolling black stems. These busy scrolling stems nonetheless follow a symmetrical organisation, folding across a central vertical axis. Placed at intervals, ring-like clasps hold the scrollwork within this ordered layout. The flowers and leaves are in different blues, pinks, oranges and creams, set against a dark wine-red field. The black outlines and stems have receded, as the iron in the black dye has corroded back the woollen pile, creating an (unintended) relief effect, and revealing the foundation threads behind. Hidden within the design are small birds, which is unusual for this carpet group.
Also nicknamed “Shah Abbas” and “Isfahani”, many examples of this carpet group survive today, and they are also largely in evidence in European painting, particularly that of the Dutch Golden Age, throughout the seventeenth century. Isfahan was then the capital of Safavid Iran, when the city attracted international merchants for the raw silk trade.
Also nicknamed “Shah Abbas” and “Isfahani”, many examples of this carpet group survive today, and they are also largely in evidence in European painting, particularly that of the Dutch Golden Age, throughout the seventeenth century. Isfahan was then the capital of Safavid Iran, when the city attracted international merchants for the raw silk trade.
Object details
Object type | |
Brief description | Middle East, Carpet. Carpet, wool knotted pile on cotton foundation, 'Shah Abbas' or 'Isfahani' design of lotus flower and saz leaf trellis with birds and black pomegranates on red ground, possibly Isfahan, Safavid Iran, 1600-1700 |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Credit line | Messrs Vincent Robinson VC |
Object history | Previously on loan to Indan Section Purchased from Messrs Vincent Robinson VC . This acquisition information reflects that found in the Museum records (Asia Department registers and/or Central Inventory) as part of a 2023 provenance research project. |
Summary | This monumental carpet was probably woven in Isfahan during the seventeenth century, either for export or for the domestic market in Iran. The design is a densely packed trellis formation of dramatic large flowers (lotus, prunus and more) and feathery leaves, on scrolling black stems. These busy scrolling stems nonetheless follow a symmetrical organisation, folding across a central vertical axis. Placed at intervals, ring-like clasps hold the scrollwork within this ordered layout. The flowers and leaves are in different blues, pinks, oranges and creams, set against a dark wine-red field. The black outlines and stems have receded, as the iron in the black dye has corroded back the woollen pile, creating an (unintended) relief effect, and revealing the foundation threads behind. Hidden within the design are small birds, which is unusual for this carpet group. Also nicknamed “Shah Abbas” and “Isfahani”, many examples of this carpet group survive today, and they are also largely in evidence in European painting, particularly that of the Dutch Golden Age, throughout the seventeenth century. Isfahan was then the capital of Safavid Iran, when the city attracted international merchants for the raw silk trade. |
Collection | |
Accession number | IS.12-1886 |
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Record created | June 25, 2009 |
Record URL |
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