Fragment of a Garden Carpet

Unknown

18th century · Cotton (warp, and weft); Wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

The design of this carpet is based on the classic Persian garden plan as seen from above. In many parts of the Islamic world, gardens take the form of four gardens separated by four narrow canals—symbolizing the four rivers of paradise—and joined in the center by a decorative fountain. Here, canals are lined with green cypress trees, flowers, and shrubs, and throughout the carpet are flowering plants and trees populated by colorful birds, all creating a scene evocative of a garden paradise. The earliest known garden carpet dates from around 1622–32 and is the likely prototype for subsequent examples, like this one.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Cotton (warp, and weft); Wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915