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Pictorial Carpet

17th century
Not on view
This silk carpet combines an unusually dense weave for a Persian carpet, with a composition inspired by Flemish tapestry. While the pictorial scene can be traced to seventeenth‑century Europe, the technique and execution point to the Safavid court as the source of patronage and production. It is possible that such carpets were woven in Iran for export or intended as diplomatic gifts. The smaller scale of the buildings suggests the influence of European perspective. The border compartments, whose arrangement is also repeated symmetrically, show figures in European dress, flower vases, and reclining deer.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pictorial Carpet
  • Date: 17th century
  • Geography: Made in Iran
  • Medium: Silk (warp, weft, and pile), metal wrapped thread; asymmetrically knotted pile, brocaded
  • Dimensions: Rug: L. 91 1/2 in. (232.4 cm)
    W. 68 in. (172.7 cm)
    Tube: Diam. 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
    W. 82 in. (208.3 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Rugs
  • Credit Line: Gift of C. Ruxton Love Jr., 1967
  • Object Number: 67.2.2
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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'Polonaise' Carpet, Cotton (warp and weft), silk (weft and pile), metal wrapped thread; asymmetrically knotted pile, brocaded
'Polonaise' Carpet
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'Polonaise' Carpet, Cotton (warp and weft), silk (weft and pile), metal wrapped thread; asymmetrically knotted pile, brocaded
'Polonaise' Carpet
first half 17th century

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