Notes on Oriental Rugs by Barry O'Connell

Khotan Rugs: A Khotan saph, East Turkestan, circa 1850 Sotheby's Lot 76

Khotan Rugs: A Khotan saph, East Turkestan, circa 1850 These rugs with mihrabs in a row are known as saphs and are usually decorated with the Tree of Life motif. For a comparable example please see Christie's, London, The Bernheimer Family Collection of Carpets, 14 February 1996, lot 184. As the Bernheimer saph, the present lot is long and narrow and has ten mihrabs as opposed to the general three or five. However, in this lot, no mihrab is the same. Colours and inner designs are different making each section entirely individual. For another related example see Murray L. Eiland, Chinese and Exotic Rugs, London, 1979, pl. 103, p. 123. These rugs with mihrabs in a row are known as saphs and are usually decorated with the Tree of Life motif. For a comparable example please see Christie's, London, The Bernheimer Family Collection of Carpets, 14 February 1996, lot 184. As the Bernheimer saph, the present lot is long and narrow and has ten mihrabs as opposed to the general three or five. However, in this lot, no mihrab is the same. Colours and inner designs are different making each section entirely individual. For another related example see Murray L. Eiland, Chinese and Exotic Rugs, London, 1979, pl. 103, p. 123.

Type: Khotan Rug

JBOC Notes:

Catalog Discription:

Fine Rugs & Carpets including Islamic Textiles
SALE W02871 LOT 76
SESSION 1 | 11 Jun 02 2:00 PM.
London, Olympia
A Khotan saph, East Turkestan, circa 1850
2,000—3,000 GBP
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 3,760 GBP
MEASUREMENTS
369 by 114cm., 12ft. 1in. by 3ft. 9in.
DESCRIPTION
This lot contains 1 item(s).
These rugs with mihrabs in a row are known as saphs and are usually decorated with the Tree of Life motif. For a comparable example please see Christie's, London, The Bernheimer Family Collection of Carpets, 14 February 1996, lot 184. As the Bernheimer saph, the present lot is long and narrow and has ten mihrabs as opposed to the general three or five. However, in this lot, no mihrab is the same. Colours and inner designs are different making each section entirely individual. For another related example see Murray L. Eiland, Chinese and Exotic Rugs, London, 1979, pl. 103, p. 123.

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