East Persia, (Iran), c. 410 x 277 cm, second half of the 17th century, symmetrical knot on cotton foundation; unpublished floral carpet fragment with “Harshang” pattern, which originally developed in East Persia and is still preserved in later Herat carpets. In 1735, Nadir-Shah brought the carpet industry of Herat to Khorasan and Ferahan (see lot 77). The soft pastel colours and knotting structure suggest that the present item was probably manufactured in East Persia; on the grounds of its balanced composition it can be dated to the 17th century. Despite being rather narrow, carpets such as the present one, usually in kelley format, were up to 9 m long. This fragment is trimmed in the upper section, in the middle as well as on the sides and was originally longer and broader. With many old repairs and supplementary parts, the borders and field pattern were assembled to create a coherent carpet. (MA) A similar, fully preserved item from the Joseph V. Mc. Mullan Collection (North Persia, 18th century) with copious border drawing is located in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Provenance: Austrian Private Ownership. Further reading:
Joseph V. Mc Mullan, Islamic Carpets, plate 27.