Page 140 - 2021 April 1, ART OF THE ISLAMIC AND Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs, Christie's London

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AN AMRITSAR CARPET
NORTH INDIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Of 'Salting' design, full pile throughout, natural corrosion to black,
overall good condition
14ft.10in. x 10ft.4in. (454cm. x 316cm.)
£6,000-8,000 US$8,500-11,000
€7,000-9,200
The design of the present carpet comes from a widely debated
group of carpets know as the 'Salting' Carpets, named after the
example in the V which was formerly owned by George Salting
who purchased his in London between 1880 and 1883. The present
lot is a direct copy of the 16th century Lobanov-Rostowsky ‘Salting’
rug first published in the 'Vienna Book', Orientalische Teppiche,
Vienna, 1892-96, plate 15, and now housed in the Hermitage
Museum, St Petersburg. Like the rest of the group, the intricate
floral design of our carpet is arranged with numerous animals and
is set within a broad border puntuated with decorative cartouche
panels filled with sweeping calligraphic Persian poetry, quoting the
great Iranian poet Hafiz (d.1389). Those seated upon the carpet
were to be transported to a garden of Paradise upon reading the
verses describing a blissful world of verdant gardens filled with
roses, wine and bird song.
Two Indian carpets of the same design but with longer proportions,
sold in these Rooms; 29 April 2004, lot 263 and 25 October 2007,
lot 197.

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AN AGRA RUG
NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1890
Full, thick pile, localised small spots of old moth damage, overall
very good condition
4ft.9in. x 3ft.11in. (146cm. x 121cm.)
£3,000-4,000 US$4,300-5,600
€3,500-4,600

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138 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.