Object Description
Antique Laver Kirman Carpet, c. 1860
4.84 x 3.68 m
Laver Kirman carpets are among the most highly prized, and most unique, of all Persian workshop pieces. The workshops of Kirman, well known for the high quality of their weavings, won the royal patronage of the Safavid court in the 17th Century, and became some of the earliest Oriental carpets to make their way into the Western market. Later on, its weavers, in turn, took a certain influence from European textile traditions, incorporating a distinct palette, inspired by the colours of Classical French carpets, as can be seen in this example, with its soft ivory, duck egg blue, maroon, and sage green tones in the drawing, all in gracefully aged natural vegetable dyes.
This mid-19th century Laver Kirman carpet has a remarkable quality to its weaving, which gives a crisp clarity to its drawing, and a wide palette of gracefully aged vegetable-dyed colours. The spacious balanced drawing is framed by ten decorative borders, which are intact on all four sides – a remarkable feature of a rug of this age.
In good practical condition with minor age-related patina. A handsome example to complement a wide variety of settings, and a rare find, given its age and format.