RugNotesComprehensive Study Guidefor Oriental Carpets |
Central Persian Vase Carpet (?) |
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A Central Persian Vase Carpet(?),
late 17th/early 18th Century, small reweave to field,
overcast sides. Approximately 8 ft. 10 in. by 5 ft. 8 in.
(2.69 m. by 1. 73 m.) Warp: Cotton, Z4S, alternate warp strongly depressed, natural white Weft: 3 shoots; 1st and 3rd-cotton, Z2S (loosely plied), natural white; 2nd-wool, Z2S, natural brown and white twist Pile: Wool, asymmetrical knot open to the left Density: 14-1 7 horizontal, 1 I- 1 3 vertical Sides: Overcast not original Ends: Warp fringe Colors: indigo, cranberry, old rose, spruce, chamois, cardamom, auburn, saffron, sage, ginger, Wedgwood, carnelian, cordovan, pale to deep teat blue, walnut, azure, caramel. |
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Lot 83 Sotheby's Fine Oriental and European Carpets April 15, 1993, New York City $15,000-20,000 Sa93n83 *Graphic Image Courtesy of Sotheby's |
I have problems with the attribution of this carpet. My initial reaction is to attribute it as an 18th Century Kurdish Carpet. We see these designs in earlier vase carpets and later Kurdish carpet. Vase carpets have first and third shoots of weft rigid wool and the second is sinuous cotton or silk. This carpet reverses that and has first and third rigid cotton and second sinuous wool. Addition the wool is barber-poled white and brown. I do not consider that a vase carpet so I am inclined to attribute it to the Kurds. I will ponder this while I collect other samples. By the way the question mark in the attribution is mine. I should also add that I reject the idea that Vase carpets can be attributed to Central Persia or Kerman.
Property of a New England Estate
A Central Persian Vase" Carpet, late 17th / early 18th Century, small reweave to field, overcast sides. Approximately 8 ft. 10 in. by 5 ft. 8 in. (2.69 m. by 1. 73 m.)
The carpet offered here appears to belong to the well known group of so-called "Vase" carpets believed to have been woven in central Persia from the mid-16th century through the 18th century. The term "Vase" carpet derives from the depiction of vase motifs in some of the examples of this group. Inclusion in the "Vase" group, however, is not distinguished by design characteristics but is based on structural similarities in the weaving technique.
The present carpet, with its distinct palmette and vinery trellis interspersed with lush flowering branches, incorporates two variants of design types known within the "Vase" group; namely the lattice carpet type and the shrub carpet type. The combination of these two designs is seen in several other carpets in the "Vase" group, see Ellis, Charles Grant, Oriental Carpets in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, 1988, p. 198, fig. 53b for an example in the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisbon, and Pope, A. U., A Survey of Persian Art, Oxford, 1939, plate 1227 for an example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. In the offered carpet, however, both of these elements have more of an equal importance in the overall design scheme, whereas in the other two cited examples the shrub motifs play a secondary role to the palmette lattice.
The cypress trees alternating with flowering plants border design seen in this carpet also appears in a fragmentary carpet in the Textile Museum, Washington, D.C., see Beattie, May, Carpets of Central Persia,Westerham, 1976, pp.80-81, no. 36. Beattie dates the Textile Museum piece to the 18th century and suggests that the border design is derived from a cypress tree and flowering plant Field design as seen in a "Vase" carpet in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, see Ibid., p.49, no. 14.
While in general the weft structural characteristics of the lot offered here indicate that this carpet belongs to the "Vase" group, there are some inconsistencies in the wefts which raise doubts to this attribution. The typical weft structure of most "Vase" carpets is wool 1st and 3rd weft passes and either a silk or cotton 2nd weft pass. In the present lot, the 1st and 3rd wefts are cotton and the 2nd weft is a natural brown and white wool twist. However, as other inconsistencies within the weft characteristics of the "Vase" group exist, it remains likely that the present carpet should be included within the group.
The somewhat crowded field design within a border generally attributed to 18th century carpets, and the unusual weft characteristics of the carpet here offered probably indicate that it was woven in the late 17th century or the beginning of the 18th century. Nonetheless, the excellent state of preservation of this carpet is quite remarkable within the extant group of "Vase" carpets known today, allowing one to experience the beauty of classical Persian weaving.
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.