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Under the Mughal maharajas in seventeenth-century India, and most particularly during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan (1628-1658), heightened attention was placed on the naturalistic rendering of the surrounding flora. Distinctive designs comprising rows or formal arrangements of naturalistic flowers were woven upon rich ruby-red grounds, accurately displaying recognizable specimens of lily, poppy, carnation, tulip, violet and narcissus. Such designs remained popular with Indian weavers, both in carpets and textiles, for the next few hundred years although greater artistic liberties were taken over time, often making identification problematic. The decorative design of the present carpet recalls these early Mughal patterns but is now set upon an ivory field and the flowers have been miniaturized and are perhaps less recognizable. Many such Mughal-inspired revival carpets in the nineteenth century were woven in the jails of Agra and Lahore, which employed similar repetitive floral designs albeit with slight variations in their color palette, see I. Bennett, Jail Birds, Exhibition Catalogue, London, 1987, pl. 26. A very similar carpet was recently sold Christie's, London, 25 June 2020, lot 187 (£43,750).
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Condition report
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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Pile is generally good, dense, ranging from near-original, approximately 1/4 of an inch to low to knot-heads and minor spot foundation. Some scattered small reweaves, with the largest reweaves being in the upper end border, one approximately 9in. x 3in. and the other irregular stepped reweave approximately 8 in. x 4 in, a much smaller approximately 2 in. x 4 in. reweave to lower end of field and some scattered smaller to lower-end guard border, not extensive. Few smaller reweaves, reweaves are generally well-executed. A few scattered restitched slits, mostly to the lower-end guard border. Greens partially oxidized and now low to knot-heads in areas, where some tinting has been applied. Lower right-end corner and field at inner guard borders with some exposed wefts, probably cat scratches. Later bound at all four sides. Supple handle, good overall condition. Some scattered spot stains and surface dirt, recommend light cleaning. Very attractive color palette and allover design.
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Lot 627Sale 22806
NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1900AN AGRA CARPETEstimate: USD 25,000 - 40,000
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