Lot 147

A QOM CARPET

Hand-knotted silk carpet on silk warp from Central Iran with a knot density of approx. 720,000 per square meter, category VERY FINE. The very naturalistic design of the Garden of Eden for the Orthodox suggests inspiration from Indian textiles and carpets from the best period of the Mughal Empire in the 17th century, and further inspiration from textiles from the golden era of the Golconda Sultanate of Dhaka in the 18th century (the popularity of which reached such heights in Europe that imports from India were subsequently banned by Great Britain and France). Although Persian carpets were looked up to in India, during the golden era of Indian carpets, at best comparable pieces were produced at the courts of Indian rulers, and the import of Indian textiles with naturalistic floral designs to Persia balanced the export of Persian carpets to India. While the Persian tradition predominantly gravitated towards stylized depictions of flowers or the creation of so-called composites by combining several flowers, Indian designers reveled in faithful representation, and the two worlds influenced each other. Irises, roses, carnations, lilies, and the so-called toothed leaf (saz) can be identified in the design of the carpet, which can also be boldly used as a tapestry. Professionally cleaned on both sides, with unusual designs and rare colors.