Persian Rugs the O'Connell Notes

The Lefevre North-West Persian Carpet Fragment

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FRAGMENT OF NORTH-WEST PERSIAN CARPET

213 x 091 cm late 17th century 7' x 3'

This fragment formed part of a large carpet with flowering shrub and tree designs within multicolored compartments. After careful examination of technical and stylistic features, it has been established that this fragment and the set of two larger joined fragments sold in the sale of the Von Hirsch collection (Sotheby, London 23rd June 1978, lot 501) belonged to the same carpet.

An interesting feature of both these fragments is the presence within some compartments of a design at the foot of the main tree which resembles the water channel seen in earlier garden carpets, such as the Jaipur Palace carpet now believed to be from Kerman, South Persia. The drawing of the flowering trees is very close to that of the Wagner garden carpet of the Burrel collection, Glasgow Art Gallery. Stylistic links to the Kerman weavings are also seen in the juxtaposition of two distinctive types of trees and in the arrangement of the lattice. However, the coloring with its plentiful use of an intense deep blue and clear madder red and the complete absence of the wine red dye obtained from Lac, point rather to a North Persian origin. This is further confirmed by the structure which differs from the 'Vase-technique' carpets.

Lot 16

Lefevre & Partners, London

Friday, 27th April, 1979

Est. 2,000 - 3,000 Pounds UK

la79e16

The rendering of the stream bears a marked relationship to earlier Mughal pieces.

Mughal Like Leaf Forms

The tricolor leaf forms are very similar stylistically to Ost Persien and Mughal tricolor leaf, The main differences are in color and execution. The red center stripe is executed in a fashion that is at odds with the peaceful symmetry of the eastern rugs. We can also see the red stripe applied to leafs that are non-traditional. This reminds me of the tiles in the church of Saint Sargis's in New Julfa in that it reminds me of Armenian copies of Indian art.

*Graphic Image Courtesy of Lefevre & Partners

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.

Notes on Oriental Rugs and Persian Rugs by Barry O'Connell

Persian Rugs