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Rare Complete 17th-Century Khorasan Carpet, Northeastern Persia

Size: 5 ft 9 in x 4 ft 5 in (1.75 m x 1.35 m)

Provenance: Collection of Late Donald Gant

A rare complete small-format Khorasan carpet dating to the seventeenth century, distinguished by its sophisticated classical composition and surviving Persian inscription across the upper field. Arranged around a strong vertical axis, the design unfolds through flowering trees, palmettes, blossoms and carefully balanced geometric elements. The softly aged palette and intricate drawing give the carpet an almost manuscript-like character, reflecting the artistic sophistication of Persian court and workshop weaving during the Safavid period. Khorasan—historically encompassing northeastern Persia and neighboring areas of Central Asia—was an important center of classical carpet production. Its weavers created technically accomplished carpets noted for complex floral arrangements, lattice systems and imaginative combinations of Persian and Central Asian design elements. Most surviving early Khorasan carpets are known only through incomplete fragments. The preservation of this example as a complete rug—with its field, borders and inscription panel—makes it especially noteworthy. Early Khorasan weavings are preserved in major institutional collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the former Textile Museum in Washington. These museum examples provide historical context for the importance and rarity of the Khorasan weaving tradition, although they should not be presented as identical workshop products. The inscription remains to be fully transcribed and translated. Condition: The carpet survives in complete form and should not be described as a fragment. It shows extensive age-related wear and restoration consistent with an early textile. The final condition report should specify areas of repiling, foundation exposure, reconstructed weaving, and any restoration affecting the inscription panel. Please contact our rug experts at auction@nazmiyal.com or call us for any questions you may have at 212.545.8029. Please note that all lots are sold "AS IS. " Condition reports are given as a courtesy to our clients and shall not be deemed as a guarantee of the lot's condition, quality, and authenticity. The absence of a condition report does not imply the item is in perfect condition.