Silk Animal Carpet

Unknown

second half 16th century · Silk (warp, weft, and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

This is one of a small group of carpets woven entirely of silk with approximately 800 knots per square inch, representing the highest level of production in sixteenth‑century Iran. In contrast to the other floral and geometric carpets in this group, this outstanding example displays a painterly approach, with images of animals in combat against a background of flowering plants. The range of animals includes lions, tigers, and rams, as well as spotted dragons and horned, deerlike beasts borrowed from Chinese art. Similar imagery appears on manuscript paintings and lacquer bookbindings produced at the same time.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half 16th century

Medium

Silk (warp, weft, and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913