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Sotheby's Important Judaica
Sale: N08173 | Location: New York
Auction Dates: Session 1: Wed, 30 Nov 05 10:15 AM
LOT 119
AN IMPORTANT MARBABIAH CARPET, JERUSALEM, 1920
14,000—16,000 USD
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium:
14,400 USD
MEASUREMENTS
74 7/8 by 64 1/2 in. 190 by 164 cm.
DESCRIPTION
woven with medallions containing both ancient and
Zionist symbols, the borders inscribed in Hebrew
"Jerusalem" in stylized script,
inscribed "Marbadiah Jerusalem"
PROVENANCE
This carpet shows an unusual wealth of Jewish
symbols relevant to the national revival of Eretz
Israel. In describing a similar carpet, Anton
Felton writes "This wonderful Jewish carpet
was developed from the grand classical Persian
format of important 16th and 17th century pieces
whose medallions would usually be filled with
animals or flowers." He adds "What I
find fascinating about this carpet is that the
designer has replaced the Persian motifs with
symbols taken directly from the coins of Israel
struck during its battles for religious and
national survival against Rome. The messages on
this carpet from the 1920s could not be
clearer." Motifs included in this carpet
include the amphora, menorah, palm tree, star of
David, as well as the modern Zionist symbol of
Theodor Herzl's cedar tree. Felton concludes
"The richness of the symbolism and the
sophistication of the designing and weaving of
this carpet demonstrate the artistic, cultural,
and technical mastery of the Marbadiah
Workshop".
Literature:
Anton Felton, Jewish Carpets, London, 1977, pp
120-121 (a smilar example illustrated)
Seen on www.Sothebys.com
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