Antique Indochinese Samarkand Rug, Mauve With Rare Pictorials - Rug & Kilim

Details

Description

This 9x14 antique rug marks an extremely rare and collectible curation Rug & Kilim’s collection of rare classics—a truly one-of-a-kind … Read more This 9x14 antique rug marks an extremely rare and collectible curation Rug & Kilim’s collection of rare classics—a truly one-of-a-kind Indochinese Samarkand rug of the most unusual, yet elegant European influence and uncommon pictorial designs—made with hand-knotted wool and believed to originate from India circa 1920-1930.

On the Design:

Admirers of the craft will recognize nearly every element of this piece is a profound departure from so many others of its period and provenance. Starting with the color, the ground of both field and border is the most unusual range of mauve purple and light pink tones, quite seldom seen outside Oushaks of Turkey or in the accents of Persian rugs, and almost never in such a design as this.

Both the border and field enjoy scrolls and repeats of large-scale bird pictorials, where keen eyes will particularly admire the almost armorial nature of the birds (their similarity being much like the grand birds of royal crests, such as those in French and English rugs of the Aubusson and Tudor weaving traditions.

Figural and pictorial rugs are always among the most exemplary of their provenances, but further to this rug’s many fabulous distinctions is the way these birds are worked into the architecture of the design—both in the thoughtful, subtle alteration of their colorway in the border and especially their use as spandrels of the four large-scale floral medallions in the field (the latter of which, once again, is another unusual find in such a rug of this tradition).

Everything from its quality of craftsmanship and soft, cozy colors like few of its kind to its dramatic, elegant European-meets-Oriental take speaks to its rarity, most likely a private commission for aristocracy or a very special placement; a work of outstanding provenance, matched only by its overall execution and quiet elegance among countless beauties.

Condition:

This antique Indochinese rug further enjoys an overall good condition for its age and origin, following very minor restoration by our in-house master weaver—ready for the floor. See less