Bijar Lion Mat Abstract Art/Ancestral Visions

Bijar Lion mat

This is a very rare 3rd quarter 19th century Bijar Lion mat that my friend John Wertime had on his Abstract Art/Ancestral Visions site on his Cloudband page. It measures 1'7" x 2'9". The wide selvedges are done in sumak, a touch that John has only seen in the Bijar area.

I found one other Bijar Lion rug that I am sure John is familiar with. I can be sure because John translated the book from Persian to English. That rug Tanavoli, Parviz Translated by Wertime, John. Kings, Heroes, and Lovers. plate 86 shows the traditional Persian Lion and Sun design.

Notes on Parviz Tanavoli

Notes on John Wertime

Dear Barry:

Thanks for your response. Attached please find images of the rare Bijar mat that I think is from the 3rd quarter of the 19th century. It is related to other images found in Persian art: the face and mane of a lion with the eyes and mouth of a demon. It may ultimately be an image to ward off the evil eye. I know of only one other lion in this format from Bijar (or anywhere else), but this is far superior to our opinion. The 1 1/2" wide selvedges are done in extra-weft wrapping or sumak, a feature I've seen only in the Bijar area. The warps are wool (there is repair along the bottom and in the upper right hand corner). In short, Suzan and I consider it to be an outstanding work of folk art.

Much thanks and best wishes to you,

John


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Detail of the Back

John wrote, "It is related to other images found in Persian art: the face and mane of a lion with the eyes and mouth of a demon."

At first I was not sure of what he meant but there is a long tradition of Persian picture of Demons or Jinn. Here we can see that Demon face.

A blue div

John never ceases to amaze me. I think I never would have picked up on the similarities between the lion and the Blue Div. Now that he points it out it is hard to miss.

Very Rare Selvage

Normally I would expect a such simpler overcast selvage. This rug however has a wide Sumac selvedge.

Wertime wrote: "The 1 1/2" wide selvedges are done in extra-weft wrapping or sumak, a feature I've seen only in the Bijar area. The warps are wool (there is repair along the bottom."

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

La Miniature En Orient

Notes on the War on Terrorism

Southwest Asia Time Line

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

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