Anhalt Medallion Carpet NY Met Gallery DSC04915
A superb example, the Anhalt Medallion Carpet (named for a former owner) was probably made in Iran in the first half 16th century. Cotton (warp), silk (weft), wool (pile) asymmetrically knotted pile.H. 312 in. (792.5 cm) W. 165 in. (419.1 cm).
The excellent condition and unusual colors of this carpet make it a unique example of carpet production during the Safavid period in Iran. The yellow field, rarely seen in carpets of this type, renders it an unusual variation of a classic design. The central medallion, scrolling vines (arabesque), and peacocks in the field are all common features of Safavid carpets. The multicolored peacocks that punctuate its design of spiraling vines and stylized blossoms link its imagery to Islamic concepts of Paradise. The arabesque designs have parallels in sixteenth-century Persian tile revetments, while the central medallion design is similar to contemporary book covers, suggesting that the same court workshop created designs for manuscripts, carpets, and architectural ornamentation.
www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/46.128/
Anhalt Medallion Carpet NY Met Gallery DSC04915
A superb example, the Anhalt Medallion Carpet (named for a former owner) was probably made in Iran in the first half 16th century. Cotton (warp), silk (weft), wool (pile) asymmetrically knotted pile.H. 312 in. (792.5 cm) W. 165 in. (419.1 cm).
The excellent condition and unusual colors of this carpet make it a unique example of carpet production during the Safavid period in Iran. The yellow field, rarely seen in carpets of this type, renders it an unusual variation of a classic design. The central medallion, scrolling vines (arabesque), and peacocks in the field are all common features of Safavid carpets. The multicolored peacocks that punctuate its design of spiraling vines and stylized blossoms link its imagery to Islamic concepts of Paradise. The arabesque designs have parallels in sixteenth-century Persian tile revetments, while the central medallion design is similar to contemporary book covers, suggesting that the same court workshop created designs for manuscripts, carpets, and architectural ornamentation.
www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/46.128/