Niche Carpet
1890-1910
Description
The design of this carpet draws from an earlier model of carpets known as “millefleur” (thousand flowers) because of their profusion of floral motifs. Like these earlier carpets, including one at the Harvard Art Museums (1974.58), a number of floral motifs are scattered through an arched opening or niche with an anchoring vase at its base. This niche could indicate use as a prayer rug or allude to an arched gateway and signal the carpet’s function as a hanging. The all-silk pile of this carpet is sumptuous but wear over time has resulted in an inconsistently effaced surface.
Dimensions
163.5 × 118 cm (64 3/8 × 46 7/16 in.)
Related Artworks
View MoreSilk
15th-16th centuryHispano-MoorishTextile
19th centuryPersianSilk velvet brocade with metallic wrapped thread
16th-17th centuryOttomanBook of swatches mounted on paper (56 sheets)
19th-20th centuryJapaneseHeavy blue satin with gold brocade
19th centuryChineseBrocaded lampas damassé
17th centuryItalian?Wool pile on a foundation of cotton warps and cotton and wool wefts
17th centuryPersian
Wool on canvas in a plexiglass frame
20th centuryGermanCiselé velvet
16th centuryItalianFiber
19th centuryIndian