NORTH INDIA, CIRCA 1880

The original design source for the present carpet stems from earlier 18th century Caucasian 'Dragon' carpets although the appearance of stylised 'dragons' has here been long forgotten. While the design has classical roots, it displays the particular vitality of 19th century Agra carpets, in its vibrant and inventive palate of ruby-red, forest-green and golden yellow; its rich wool, dense and lustrous; and its bold, monumental scale. Indian weavers often copied classical Persian carpets, possibly using examples of 16th and 17th century carpets housed within the collections of the rulers of Jaipur and Bijapur. An Agra carpet of the same design but of larger proportions and with a green field and border ground colour, that had formerly been the property of a member of a European Royal family, sold in these Rooms, 29 April 2004, lot 220. A further carpet of the same design but on an ivory ground sold more recently in these Rooms, 24 October, 2019, lot 291.