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'Chessboard' Carpet

late 16th–early 17th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 460
The field of the so-called "Chessboard" carpet is usually applied on a vermillion ground and divided into rectangular compartments, each containing an eight-pointed star composed of an endless knot of interlaced bands. The stars are encircled by small abstract radiating trefoil ornaments resembling fleur-de-lys, cypresses, and rosettes. On the large border that frames the central compartments of this design, poly-lobed lozengelike medallions alternate with cartouches. Stylized fleur-de-lys fill these motifs as well as the blue-green background.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: 'Chessboard' Carpet
  • Date: late 16th–early 17th century
  • Geography: Attributed to probably Syria
  • Medium: Animal hair (warp and pile), wool (weft); asymmetrically knotted pile
  • Dimensions: Rug:
    L. 73 1/2 in. (186.7 cm)
    W. 51 in. (129.5 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Rugs
  • Credit Line: Gift of Joseph V. McMullan, 1969
  • Object Number: 69.267
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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'Lotto' Carpet, Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
'Lotto' Carpet
16th century
The Emperor's Carpet, Silk (warp and weft), wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
The Emperor's Carpet
second half 16th century
Carpet with Palm Trees, Ibexes, and Birds, Cotton (warp and weft), wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
Carpet with Palm Trees, Ibexes, and Birds
late 16th–early 17th century
Roundel with Central Asian-style "Candelabra Tree", Silk; samite
Roundel with Central Asian-style "Candelabra Tree"
7th–9th century
Confronted Animal Rug, Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
Confronted Animal Rug
14th century

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