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Early XVII century Safavid 'Shah Abbas' rug in a blue-ground with scrolling floral vines The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, McMullan Collection
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Date:17th century Geography:Iran, probably Kirman Culture:Islamic Medium:Cotton (warp), wool (weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile Dimensions:Rug: H. 54 1/8 in. (137.5 cm) W. 53 5/8 in. (136.2 cm) Credit Line:Gift of Joseph V. McMullan, 1970 Accession Number:1970.302.5 (Not on view) This fragment of a carpet bears a variety of flowers on winding stems over a blue ground. Its structure, which is composed of two planes of warp threads, indicates that it was probably produced in the city of Kirman in southeastern Iran. Carpets from this city display a wide range of patterns but are alike in construction. Exported to India during the reign of Emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Kirman carpets were known to be among the finest produced in Iran during this period. Provenance Joseph V. McMullan, New York (by 1960–70; gifted to MMA) References McMullan, Joseph V., and Ernst J. Grube. Islamic Carpets. New York: Near Eastern Art Research Center, 1965. no. 21, pp. 90-91, ill. pl. 21 (color). Welch, Anthony, ed. Shah 'Abbas and the Arts of Isfahan. New York: Asia House Gallery, 1973. no. 27, pp. 48, 68, p. 48 (b/w). |
