Dragon Rugs: Christopher Alexander Collection Dragon Carpet

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A Caucasian Dragon Carpet, late 17th Century, rewoven and repaired areas throughout, one rewoven end. Approximately 1". 10 in. by 7fl. 6 in. (5.13 m. by 2.29 m.)

Warp: Wool, Z2S, alternate warp strongly depressed, ivory, ivory/dark brown twist

Weft: Wool, Z2, 2 shoots, salmon, ivory, ivory/medium to dark brown mix

Pile: Wool, asymmetrical knot open to the left1. (see note below)

Density: 8-9 horizontal, 8-9 vertical

Sides: Not original

Ends: Not original

Colors: Cinnabar, taupe, pineapple, indigo, medium to deep teal blue and green, azure, raspberry, walnut, light pewter, pecan

Lot 100

Sotheby's Fine Oriental and European Carpets

April 15, 1993, New York City

Est. $10,000-15,000

Sa93n100

Provenance:

The Christopher Alexander Collection

*Graphic Image Courtesy of Sotheby's

1. Ramsey, Paul. Personal Email Communication, 09/11/98. With the death of Charles Grant Ellis, Ramsey is perhaps the leading authority on Dragon Carpets. Paul wrote:

"The Alexander Dragon rug as depicted in the site is listed as having an asymmetrical knot. While this is entirely possible, the rug itself appears to be of a different group - that is, the vast majority of dragon rugs having a symmetrical knot but highly depressed structure. When a rug has a highly depressed structure it is difficult to tell sym from asym. In fact, this is the very area where the sym/asym nomenclature for difference between these two "warp wrappings" breaks down. A Turkish knot, when highly depressed, becomes "asymmetrical," and difficult to distinguish from a highly depressed asymmetrical knot.

Thus, whoever inspected the Alexander rug may simply have been mistaken.

The master of these structural analysis, our late beloved Uncle Charlie, did discover a dragon rug with asymmetrical knots - as discussed in his Philadelphia Collection book. He calls it a fake dragon rug, or something to that effect. But anyway, there is some precedent for an asym knotted dragon, but everything else in the lit pretty much is sym.

Thought you might be interested. Paul Ramsey

Note: To further a long term research project I am collecting data. When a piece such as this may be of interest to others I have decided to share my notes prior to culmination of the project. As such the attributions are my own and may be different that the catalogue attribution. Any additions, information, or corrections, would be appreciated.