JBOC Note: this is a splendid Vase carpet. It is an exquisite piece and 17th century seems reasonable. The attribution to Kirman is however problematic. I think the Beattie theory was deeply flawed and the experts who follow her lead are reckless.

Sale Title ORIENTAL RUGS AND CARPETS


Location London, King Street Sale Date Oct 13, 2005
Lot Number 52 Sale Number 7078
Creator SOUTH EAST PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY

Lot Title A KIRMAN 'VASE' RUG

Estimate 40,000 - 60,000 British pounds
Special Notice No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Lot Description A KIRMAN 'VASE' RUG
SOUTH EAST PERSIA, 17TH CENTURY
Even low wear throughout, localized repair, some tinting, selvages rebound, ends original and secured
6ft.9in. x 4ft.8in. (206cm. x 142cm.)

Lot Notes The weaving technique places this carpet in the so-called 'Vase' carpet group. The same lattice design can be seen in a fragment in the Museum Für Angewandte Kunst in Vienna, although that piece has golden yellow and red arabesques on a blue ground, (F. Sarre and H. Trenkwald, Alt-Orientalische Teppiche, Vienna, 1926, Vol 1, plate 31, colour detail, or Siegfried Troll, Altorientalische Teppiche, Vienna, 1951, pl.16, for the full fragment in black and white). Another fragment of comparable 'lattice' design was sold in The Bernheimer Family Collection, Christie's, London, 14 February, 1996, lot 150, again with a blue field.

The indigo border in this lot has fewer small flowerheads than the Vienna example and the arabesques are more angular which indicates that this rug is slightly later in date. A very similar border with continuous paired arabesques and ivory floral guard stripes can be seen on an example belonging to Bernheimer, Munich, Inv.46-242., May Beattie, Carpets of Central Persia, Westerham, 1976, fig. 29, pp.60-61.

Also related in design on a similar red ground is an example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, that begins with the arabesque design of the present lot but the weavers change to use the more common vase, tendril and large palmette triple lattice design, (M.S.Dimand and Jean Mailey, Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973, no.37, fig.104, p.74). That piece illustrates that both designs were used contemporaneously.

Seen on www.Christies.com