Carpet, floral design
DateProbably 17th century
MediumWool pile, natural cotton warps, natural wool wefts, with brocaded areas done with gilded silk thread.
Dimensions56" X 78"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1963-197
DescriptionFloral design carpet of senna knots and gold thread brocading; 208 knots per sq. inch; 2 shoots of weft after each row of knots. Colors: Ground: field and outer guard bands-red; border-dark blue; inner guard band- light green. Pattern: white, light blue, dark blue, red, light green, green, yellow, brown, black. the field has a pattern of 2 systems of floral scrolls forming spiral convolutions from an imaginary center. the scrolls bear palmettes, leaves and large fan-shaped palmettes symmetrically arranged and over-laid with several cloudbands. The border has a series of cartouches, alternating with small medallions between 2 vertical cartouches filled with floral scrolls, cloudbands and arabesques. The intervening spaces have floral scrolls. The guard bands are filled with wavy floral scrolls.Construction History
17th century, probably: Initial construction
Dates unknown: Repaired extensively
Label TextPersian rugs were among the "fine" goods imported into America in the eighteenth century often sold by city merchants, or even procured by private agents in London. This seventeenth century example is especially notable for its use of metallic (gilded silk & silver silk) thread, brocaded upon the borders of the fanned palmettes in the field. Its intricate vine-work and silk threading is characterstic of the "Herat" type, attributed to Eastern Persia, as well as India.Inscription(s)None foundMark(s)None foundProvenancePrior to 1963, Beshir Galleries (New York, NY); 1963-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)
17th or 18th c.
17th century
18th or 19th century
18th century
Probably 19th or 20th c.
20th century (probably)
17th century (probably)
19th or 20th c.
18th c. (?)
18th century, possibly
17th or 18th century
17th century