Vase-technique Carpet with Overlapping Cartouches

Unknown

17th century · Cotton (warp), silk (weft), wool (weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

The tightly controlled pattern of compartments is formed by overlapping cartouches, which are exceptionally varied in coloring and adorned with finely drawn palmettes growing from a vine system. In its floral forms, technical structure, and rich color scheme, this carpet is related to the so-called Vase carpets, believed to have been made in Kirman in southern Iran. Its unusual design of cartouches, however, is also found in two "Polonaise" silk carpets that have been attributed to central Iran.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Cotton (warp), silk (weft), wool (weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Horace Havemeyer, 1956