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 MoreTextile fibers
18th centuryFrenchTextile
19th centuryPersianSilk on cotton
20th centuryAfghanFiber
16th centuryFlemishFiber
15th-16th centuryFrenchSilk?
FrenchStitched fabric; cut triangular pieces of dyed, silk damask, sewn together to form a square fabric; with appliqué decorative bow and knots; with white silk damask border
19th-20th centuryKoreanAppliqué textile
21st centuryAmericanHeavy blue satin with gold brocade
19th centuryChineseFiber
Italian