Safavid style Silk pile and Silver brocaded Animal combat Carpet

Precise age and origin unknown

200 × 287 cm

This enigmatic silk and silver brocaded carpet I have regrettably still been unable to declare precisely when and where it was woven. The warps are of 4 ply cotton and the wefts two shoots of silk, one cord like. Pile is silk with oxidized bluish gray silver brocading in the outlined details. “Sixteen” silver outlined “faces” occupy the top and bottom third above and below the “sixteen” sided silver outlined star shaped medallion. The main border consist of elongated or constricted cartouches with floral renditions and accompanying vine like floral sprays. The outside minor border shows meandering silver brocaded vinery alternating between floral motifs and floral sprigs. The scarlet red field is filled throughout with diverse animals either alone or engaged in the hunt.