Fragment of a Garden carpet
17th-18th century
Woven, walked upon, celebrated, torn apart, collected and displayed—spanning centuries and continents, the history of this piece of carpet is worthy of an epic. Handloomed in Persia (Iran) in the 16th century, this depiction of a pleasure garden filled with real and imaginary flora and fauna exemplified Safavid taste, quality and materials. The wear pattern indicates that, for at least part of its history, this carpet covered a floor. According to a catalogue, by the 20th century a portion of the original had journeyed from western Asia to Europe, and was featured in a London exhibition in 1928. Finally, by 1965, the carpet had been divided yet again, and a section arrived at the Seattle Art Museum, to be preserved and displayed in this final state.
Pile woven and knotted wool
36 x 24 3/16 in. (91.5 x 61.5 cm)
Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection
65.37
Provenance: Published as part of a larger fragment of a carpet in Jekyll's Ltd., "Exhibition of 16-19 century Oriental Carpets and Rugs," London, June 12 - August 31, 1928, no. 12, p. 13; Kelekian collection, New York, by 1955; acquired from Kelekian estate by [Adolph Loewi, Inc., Los Angeles, by 1955 - 1965]; purchased by Seattle Art Museum, January 1965
