A Silk and Metallic Thread "Polonaise" Rug

Mughal India1, first half 17th Century, oxidized metallic areas, oxidized browns, applied fringe one end, missing minor guards both ends, minor areas of restoration. Approximately 6ft. 8 in. by 4 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m. by 1.42 m.) Warp: Cotton Z4-6S, alternate warp strongly depressed, natural white Weft: Cotton, 2Z, (sometimes 3Z), then 2 strands of unplied silk (light to dark shades of beige and red). The silk alternating between 2 rows of 2Z cotton, 3 shoots Pile: Silk, with metallic-wrapped silk threads, asymmetrical knot open to the left Density: 15-17 horizontal, 13-15 vertical Sides: Silk, 2 bundles of threads overcast in pale salmon Ends: Upper-selvage turned over and sewn, over which a pale green silk braided trim has been attached Lower-same as upper, but with added macramé fringe Colors: Mushroom, celadon, salmon, pale to medium aquamarine, olive, pale to deep cornflower, celery, mandarin, lapis, jade, mink, maize, butterscotch, citrine, pale oak, mint, peach, pewter, black, metallic silver

Lot 2 Sotheby's Carpets From the J. Paul Getty Museum December 8, 1990, New York City Est. $70,000 - 100,000 Sold for: $440,000 Provenance: Rothschild collection, Paris Hagop Kevorkian, before 1947. Sold Sotheby's London, December 5, 1969, lot 6. J. Paul Getty *Graphic Image Courtesy of Sotheby's

Exhibited:

Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, An Exhibition of Antique Oriental Rugs, February-March 1947,

ex. cat., no. 44. The Kevorkian Foundation Collection of Rare and Magnificent Oriental Carpets, 1966; a traveling exhibition.

Literature:

Bennett, Ian, Rugs and Carpets of the World, London, 1977, p. 82 Dimand, Maurice S., The Kevorkian Foundation Collection of rare and Magnificent Oriental Carpets, Special Loan Exhibition, New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1966, cover illustration. Dimand, Maurice S., "The 17th Century Isfahan School of Rug Weaving," Islamic Art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ed. Richard Ettinghausen, New York, 1972, p. 265, fig. 12. Sassoon, Adrian and Wilson, Gillian, Decorative Arts: A Handbook of the Collections of the J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, 1986, plate 305. Spuhler, Friedrich, "Entwurfspraktiken afawidischer Hofmanufakturen am Beispiel der sog Polenteppiche," Hali, vol. 1, no. 3, Autumn 1978,

	I am going to pull out the images from Saint Sargis's Church in New Julfa Iran, and compare certain aspects. The use of strapwork stubs with lancet leafs is unusual. It seems to me that Strapwork predates Isphahan as a weaving center *Graphic Image Courtesy of Sotheby's
	Silk and Metal Rug in the Collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund.

1. I differ substantially in my attribution from what Sotheby's expert wrote at the time of the sale. To be fair I have to note that while I may be right I am the only one who at this point thinks so. Please see the Auction Catalogue Notes. My reasoning for attributing this rug to India is covered in The Incidence Of High Ply Counts In Early Cotton Warps. Not to be redundant but if the rug has Z6S warps then it must be attributed to India or some point in time post 1850.

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.

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

La Miniature En Orient

Southwest Asia Time Line

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

Index to my Rug Notes

Index

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D

E

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I

J

K

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M

N

O

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Q

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U

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Z