The Seley Carpet

Unknown

late 16th century · Silk (warp), cotton (weft), wool (weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

This is one of the finest Persian carpets known, produced at a time when the art of carpet weaving had achieved its greatest heights under the patronage of the Safavid shahs in the sixteenth century. Striking in the harmony of its pattern and color, this carpet combines the medallion scheme adapted from bookbindings with a field composed of a well-planned system of floral forms on scrolling vines and floating cloud bands of Chinese derivation.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th century

Medium

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

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Presented in memory of Richard Ettinghausen, Gift of Louis E., Theresa S., Hervey, and Elliot Jay Seley, and Purchase, Harris Brisbane Dick and Fletcher Funds, 1978