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Pre 1800 and Classical

Pre 1800 carpets are commonly known as ‘Classical carpets’.  There is evidence that carpets were produced in the Middle East during the Sassanian dynasty (A.D. 224-641) but of these earliest weavings only fragments remain. The golden age of the oriental carpet was under the Safavid empire from 1501 to 1722 when the most sublime of carpets were produced for the ruling dynasty and were used to trade with the Kings and Popes of Europe. The finest of 15th16th, 17th and 18th century Persian carpets were woven from centers such as Isfahan, Khorossan, Tabriz and Kashan. Magnificent carpets were also woven in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, the Caucasus, India, the Ottoman Empire and Imperial China and its environs. Meanwhile a European carpet weaving tradition was also developing with Royal manufactories set up at Savonnerie in 1660 to produce pile carpets for the French palaces of Louis XIII. During the 17th and 18th centuries European carpets were also woven in Aubusson, France, Axminster, England, Cuenca and Alcaraz, Spain, and throughout the Russian Empire and Scandinavia. Many early carpet designs can be dated by their inclusion in Renaissance paintings. Classical carpets from around the world are represented in the collections of the foremost museums.

Louis XV Savonnerie Carpet

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Designed by Pierre Josse Perrot
France, circa 1745
12ft 2in length x 9ft 0in width
3.71m x 2.74m

  • The Braganza Carpet

    The Braganza Carpet

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    One of a pair of carpets reputedly used for the royal coronations of the kings of Portugal
    Esfahan, Persia, First Quarter 17th Century
    32ft 6in length x 11ft 9in
    9.91m x 3.58m

  • The Ruiz Carpet

    The Ruiz Carpet

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    A Lotto design Cuenca Carpet
    Spain, Late 17th Century
    32ft 9in length x 22ft 6in width
    9.98m x 6.86m
    Provenance: From the collection of Mrs Merriweather Post, Mar-A-Lago, Palm Beach

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