109: A FINE PERSIAN MALAYER PRAYER RUG WITH CYPRESS C. 1860

The elegant field design with lobed floral vase issuing a large central cypress filled with ascending herati designs and a smaller central cypress in ivory surrounded by intricate and active designs of stylized florals and foliates with palmette meander, the rich dark blue field having jewel-tone foliate meander and interspersed blossoms is framed by a wide robust border with dynamic ascending flowering plant form on saffron ground in rich saturated jewel-tone colors overall. This exceptional Persian village weaving created in the middle period of the 19th century. with wide main border being flanked only by a narrow inner guard stripe is unusual and impactful. And the wool is top quality, making the well preserved and well saturated hue of the saffron yellow border a bold and effective frame that highlights the strength of the central design. Although random, the area of abrash provides depth to the overall impression of the rug, providing a unique attribute. This rug has never been offered on the open market, never at auction, it has been held in the same collection since 1978.

Illustrated on page 39 of O'Bannon, George. Oriental Rugs: The Collector's Guide to Selecting, Identifying, and Enjoying New and Vintage Oriental Rugs. Courage Books, 1995. O'Bannon captions the rug as follows, 'Few village prayer rugs equal city rugs in sophistication of design, color complexity, and design originality. This one surpasses most of them on all these levels. The wide single main border in yellow is unique. The cypress tree, composed of the herati border pattern is reconciled perfectly, and the color balance is ideal.'
Measures 80 x 54 inches.
Very good intact condition, complete ends and sides. no major issues of damage or repair, one small old amateur repair, small areas of very minor mothing.
Provenance: Phil Martin Estate. Phil's interest in Persian and Caucasian weavings began in the 1980's when he met Michael Grogan, who was still with Sotheby's at the time.
$6,000 - $8,000