Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet

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Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet

Lahore India late sixteenth century - early seventeenth century

From the collection of Vojtech Blau, Inc. New York City. Formerly in the von Pannwitz Collection, Heemstede. Upon examination this rug appears to be in the style of Miskin particularly in regards to floral forms

Detail - Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet

Please note the marked similarity in the Black buck and the cheetahs. Also observe the serrated leaves with the yellow and dark halves with the orange red stripe down the middle. Also note the similarity in the red on red on red buds in both details.

Detail - The Widener Mughal Animal Carpet

The darker coloration of the cheetah with the collar of the Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpets as well as the angular neck bump are related to Miskin's early style particularly "Akbar stages a hunt" where Sarwan did the coloring.

Detail - Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet

Black Bucks are rather common in early Mughal animal carpets and rather uncommon in Persianate (Safavid or Turanian) and Turkish animal carpets.

Detail - Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet

Please compare this floral form to each of the two major blossoms in the accompanying details. Please note what appears to be a top blossom and leaf is present in a similar form in both details

Detail - The Widener Mughal Animal Carpet

See the Aberrant floral Form page to see a further discussion of these flowers.

Aberrant Floral Forms

Detail - Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet

Please note the similarities in the blossom lancet.

Detail - The Widener Mughal Animal Carpet

Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet and the Widener Animal Carpet seem so similar that the Vojtech Blau Carpet can be said to be in the style of Miskin. The lion is problematic but lions were not Miskin's forte so it is not conclusive. Miskin did have a technique of using a different color for the tips of a lions paws so this could be what the weaver was attempting to portray. Without a through work-up we can not dismiss the possibility that the paw tips were a different color originally and may have faded to that color. So I think it fair to suggest an attribution of late sixteenth early seventeenth century in the style of Miskin.

1. Ydema, Onno. Carpets and their Dating in Netherlandish Paintings 1540 - 1700. (Woodbridge, Antique Collectors Club, 1991), p. 85, fig. 85.

The Widener Mughal Animal Carpet, Return to Oriental Rug Review Home Page

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

La Miniature En Orient

Southwest Asia Time Line

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

Vojtech Blau Mughal Animal Carpet