Page 203 - ART OF THE ISLAMIC AND INDIAN WORLDS Carpets, Ceramics Objects, Christie's London Oct..27, 2022

VARIOUS PROPERTIES
■188
A KASHKULI QASHQAI RUG
SOUTH PERSIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY
Of 'boteh' design, in overall excellent condition
6ft.10in. x 4ft.6in. (207cm. x 137cm.)
£4,000-6,000 US$4,600-6,900
€4,600-6,900
Judging by its richness of colour, the quality of the wool and the finely spun
wefts, which were very often of silk, this rug is indicative of the weaving of
Kashkuli tribe which were part of the Qashqai confederacy (James Opie,
Tribal Rugs of Southern Persia, Portland, 1981, p.16). The midnight blue field
displays a dense repeat of delicate flowering botehs arranged diagonally. A
comparable rug sold in Rippon Boswell, 28 May 2016, lot 197.

188

■*189
A KIRMAN PICTORIAL RUG
SIGNED MUHAMMAD IBN JA'FAR, SOUTH EAST PERSIA, CIRCA 1900
Depicting 'Ali Karam Beg beneath the Qajar royal emblem, overall excellent
condition
8ft.4in. x 4ft.9in. (254cm. x 145cm.)
£7,000-9,000 US$8,100-10,000
€8,100-10,000 ■*190
The knot count measures approximately 9V x 8H per cm. sq. A PICTORIAL KIRMAN CARPET
SOUTH EAST PERSIA, CIRCA 1870
The inscription cartouche is signed 'amala (the work of) Muhammad ibn
Ja’far', a master-weaver who established his workshop in Kirman and during Depicting the narrative of Khosrow and Shirin, in overall very good condition
his lifetime became known as ‘the King of Persian Rugs’. He is also thought 12ft.7in. x 10ft.3in. (383cm. x 313cm.)
to have been the father of the celebrated weaver Abul Qasim Kirmani. The
£15,000-20,000 US$18,000-23,000
products of his workshop were characterised by the use of fine kurk wool and €18,000-23,000
intricate, often pictorial, designs. Fine Masha’ir carpets also signed by him
were sold in these rooms 15 April 2010, lot 87, and 18 October 2021, lot 201. The story of Khosrow and Shirin is one of the most popular ancient stories The almost caricature-like drawing and execution of this carpet is extremely
This particular example depicts the figure of ‘Ali Karam Beg, who was made in the Middle East and the Islamic world, and a source for a great amount similar to a Kirman carpet, woven most likely in the same workshop, that
sardar of the province of Bandar Abbas in 1912. On his headdress and in a of folk art such as poetry, songs and paintings. It tells a highly elaborate once again drew upon the story of Khosrow and Shirin for its inspiration,
cartouche above his portrait is the lion and sun motif, which was codified as fictional version of the story of the love of the Sasanian king, Khosrow II for Christie's, London, 28 October 2021, lot 200. A third carpet, that bears the
the official symbol of Iran in the Constitution of 1906. The calligraphic border the Armenian princess Shirin, who ultimately became the queen of Persia, same main border and guard stripes and is centred with a symmetrical but
contains a poem celebrating the subject’s virtue and military prowess. A which was already well known from the great epic-historical poem the somewhat fantastical design filled with hunting scenes, writhing serpents,
carpet with a similar cartoon, though lacking the calligraphic border which Shahnameh. In the present carpet, parts of the narrative are illustrated in four songbirds and feline faces, sold Christie's London, 17 October 2002, lot 169.
allows him to be confidently identified, was offered in these Rooms, 23 April horizontal, mirrored bands, culminating in a festive scene where Shirin is
rd
2013, lot 111. 189 depicted playing the harp amongst her courtiers.
200 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty 201
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.