Cairene
Medallion carpet
A CAIRENE CARPET
EGYPT, CIRCA 1600
Price Realized $37,600 (Set Currency)
Estimate $20,000 - $30,000 Sale Information Christies SALE 9546 — FINE
EUROPEAN AND ORIENTAL CARPETS 13 December 2000 New York, Rockefeller
Plaza
Lot Description A CAIRENE CARPET Egypt, Circa 1600
The light ochre field with feathery vinery and rosettes centering an
indigo circular medallion within a light rust palmette border
Approximately 14ft. 4in. x 8ft. 7in. (437cm. x 262cm.) Pre-Lot Text
THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
Lot Notes When the Ottoman Turks extended
their empire into Egypt in 1517, Sultan Selim imposed Ottoman stylistic
principles on Egyptian carpets. As can be seen in this carpet, graceful
saz leaves, naturalistic carnations, tulips, hyacinths and palmettes in
allover and medallion compositions replaced the geometric formalism of
Mamluk carpets previously in production in Cairo. A robust supply of these
acclaimed carpets were used not only to furnish the growing number of
lavish rooms in their own palaces, but also to supplement the burgeoning
demand for fine carpets by the aristocracies and emerging wealthy merchant
class in Europe.
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