EXCEPTIONAL TABRIZ NORTH WEST IRAN Wool and silk, circa 1930. Silky lambswool velvet known as Kork, flowers and figures inlaid with silk on silk foundations. Density: approx. 9,000 knots per dm2 (i.e. almost 900,000 knots per m2), remarkably fine and in very good condition. Remarkably well-balanced graphics. A highly poetic piece recounting the poetic scenes of Ferdowsi (10th century Persian poet who devoted most of his life to writing the epic Shahnameh (Book of Kings)), Omar Khayyam (10th century Persian poet) and Saladin (poet of the late 10th and early 12th centuries). Parma field richly decorated with palmettes, floral bulbs and animals very finely drawn in polychrome adorned with a central ivory medallion depicting the famous poet Saadi of Shiraz writing a poem, near a jar with poetic inscriptions read by a princess, framed by two beige crenellated cartouches inlaid with a second cartouche with a stylised palace and surrounded by stylised oil lamps and garlands of flowers. Remarkable framing of four botehs (symbols of genesis and fertility, the seed motif found in Kashmir shawls), very delicately drawn and inlaid with gallant scenes of lovers and couples recounting the poems of Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam and Saadi. Seven borders, the main one beige gilt with garlands of flowers and foliage, birds, palmettes and polychrome floral bulbs surrounded by cartouches with representations of the poet Saadi Shirazi and his mausoleum, located in the city of Shiraz in the province of Fars in Iran. Bibliography : GANS-RUEDIN Edwin, "Le tapis de l'Amateur", Office du Livre, 1975; "Splendeur du tapis persan", Office du Livre, 1978 and "Beauté du tapis d'orient", Office du Livre, 1983. MIDDLETON Andrew Middleton ( world tour of carpets ) Armen Hangeldian, Roger Bechirian 300 x 415 cm Expert : Frank et Elise Kassapian