More information on Rare Carpet

For your verification, the carpet can be seen on the FBI’s NSAF. The owners contacted us to help facilitate a private search using our industry contacts and launching a website for them to possibly aid in recovery – AntiqueSilkRug.com

The latter is to be promoted on all websites and social networking outlets as the receiving point for leads as well as serve as confirmation for reward(s).

The carpet was stolen from the original owner in suburban New York. This was the only item stolen, and it was specifically targeted. There is reason to believe the carpet is still in existence and efforts to circulate this information is now timely. The high reward is to encourage individual(s) with information that providing a legitimate lead resulting in recovery comes with benefit to all parties. For the owners, recovery of the original carpet will provide resolution, and the return of an item with great sentimental value.

Fine silk Tabriz carpets such as this are highly collectible in pristine condition. There are few of this type of carpet in existence, and those which survive often obtain high premiums when in original condition and sold with legitimate provenance. This particular carpet, titled the “Wedding Carpet”, features several unique attributes making it unusual and rare:

  1. It is large in size while still relatively manageable as a show piece.
  2. Among 19th century carpets, it is an exceptional example.
  3. The carpet is quite fine, and features a consistent theme through its pictorial imagery.
  4. It is a one-of-a-kind carpet, as uniquely identifiable as a fingerprint.
Antique Silk Rug

An antique Persian silk “Figural” Tabriz made in Iran, size 2.62m x 3.70m.

Most unique are the woven illustrations of courting scenes between Persian [Sassanian] King and Armenian Princess: An intimate view in the love story of Khosrow and Shirin.

There are few carpets of this type and age which combine such a wide range and variety of imagery in such detail.

The illustrations together complete an elaborate story. Each of the thirteen panels in the field are highly detailed and ornate, with specific symbolism surrounding the two lovers.

Largest of all panels, and the central focal point of the carpet: A large tree-of-life, stemming from a decorative vase, which connects each illustrated cartouche.

Other included imagery (from the top field down): lanterns of the Orient each with their own lit candle, on either side of an armorial shield

bowls of fruit, reclined and seated human figures, and a border illustrating crouching deer. The carpet has many colors; those of which are most prominent include an ivory ground at the center, a reddish-rust color of the field background and border, and a third dominant color in abrash ranging of light to medium blue throughout the entire piece.

The carpet is also thin and fine in weave, with characteristics similar to a tapestry or fabric, but having a thin pile. The carpet is also pliable, with the ability to fold up similar to how a blanket may be stored.