Number pon32
Type Workshop
Origin Isfahan
Material Wool
Style Tree
Size 213 x 163
Age 1128
Define a museum piece. This is one of only 4 known Safavid Garden Carpets topped with a mihrab niche making them prayer rugs in turn. Two have been published in 20th century literature but their whereabouts are unknown. The fourth is in the collection of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. Quite a pedigree. The carpet has an uncommon earthy toned complexion and its field is divided into four roughly equal areas by two bisecting channels of water running perpendicularly and meeting at a basin. Fish swim through the water while an assortment of peacocks, hoopoes and lovebirds perch on the trees. The influence of Safavid miniature painting, namely the Isfahan school associated with Shah Abbas II and Shah Sulayman is evident. It is dated 1128 equivalent to 1716, thereby making this the last dated Safavid carpet we know of. And the only yellow one.
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