The Berlin Spiral Tendril Mughal Carpet

The Berlin Spiral Tendril Carpet

Mughal India Circa 1600, Museum of Islamic Art , Berlin. 1.

I see a design similarity to the work of Mir Sayyid Ali. It is tempting to attributed this carpet as being in the style of Mir Sayyid Ali but that presents some problems. Mir Sayyid Ali drops out of miniature painting by the 1580's and it is generally believed that that is when he died. 2. I do not feel comfortable attributing this carpet as early as the 1580's.

The Berlin Saph Technical Analysis

The Berlin Spiral Tendril Carpet

The rug is best understood when we think of it in the same manner as the margins of a miniature. Decoration to frame something else.

Page from The Bustan of Sa'di by Abdorrahim al-Heravi

Agra (India), 1605, This was the first major work completed when the ateliers of Akbar and Jahangir were merged. 3.

Detail from The Prophet Elias Rescuing Nur ad-Dahr from the Sea. 4.

Peacocks are certainly noticeable in Mughal art but Peahens are more rarely seen especially not with an accompanying peacock. ( the accompanying Peacock is visable in the full picture)

Detail - The Berlin Spiral Tendril Carpet

Please note the similarities in the Peahen particularly in the thick neck.

The Prophet Elias Rescuing Nur ad-Dahr from the Sea

From the Hamza-nama ascribed to Mir Sayyid Ali, circa 1570

British Museum, London.

This early Mughal miniature is ascribed to the great master Mir Sayyid Ali 4. is one of the few Mughal pictures to show thick necked peahens such as we see in the Berlin Spiral Tendril Carpet.

Detail - The Berlin Spiral Tendril Carpet

Mythical bovine animals are less common in Mughal carpets as compared to Persian carpets but they are seen occasionally as in this carpet. I can point to no particular reason except that perhaps Hindu artists are not as anxious to portray Bovines. If this carpet is in the style of Mir Sayyid Ali it would explain the use of a more Persianate design element.