Sotheby's New York, December 3, 1988, lot 219
Collection of Harold Zulalian, Brookline, Massachusetts

Very good, near original 1/8in. dense pile throughout. Small scattered spot stains and minor color runs. An area of horizontal foldwear along lower edge of field where pile is low to knotheads. Original sides intact and now curling under due to density of weave. Ends with original flatwoven finishes and warp fringes intact. Will enhance with careful cleaning. Very good overall condition, fine weave, crisp design. Please note that a license may be required to export textiles, rugs and carpets of Iranian origin from the United States. Clients should enquire with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding export requirements. Please check with the Carpet department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to this restriction or if you need assistance.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present lot belongs to a small and fine group of Sarouk Fereghan rugs characterized by high quality weave and an outstandingly crisp and brilliant color palette. These rugs can be divided into three groups based on design; those with the tree of life motif, those with an overall pattern and those decorated with a flowering vase, such as the present lot. For rugs of this group woven with the tree of life motif, see Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, November 1, 1980, lot 483 and Sotheby’s New York, May 18, 1985, lot 94. In rugs woven with the tree of life or with flowering vases the architectural nature of the mihrab is sometimes emphasized by thin columns flanking the central motif, as it is in the present lot. The floral design elements of these rugs, while organic in nature, are true to traditional Sarouk Fereghan designs with their angular drawing. In this lot, the overall balance of the field design is suggested with the vertical axis created by the subtle central stem of the flowering vase issuing a great variety of palmettes and blossoms. The dark narrow border emphasizes the importance of the light field, making the lot offered here even more exceptional in appearance and an outstanding example of Persian weaving. For two comparable prayer rugs with columns supporting the prayer arch over a flowering vase, see Sotheby Parke Bernet, October 14, 1978, lot 126 and Sotheby’s New York, September 24, 1991, lot 161. Though similarly drawn, both of these rugs lack the great variety of palmettes and blossoms in the present lot and appear slightly rigid in composition due to over-emphasizing the flower vase’s stem, which here is wonderfully subdued, rendering the design of this rug particularly fluid and rich.