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Woven in Egypt under imperial Ottoman Turkish rule, “Cairene” carpets are among the rarest and most luxurious carpets of the classical period. Although made for high-level Turkish patrons, the style of such Cairene carpets is strongly Persianized. Nazmiyal has aquired this piece with its gently scalloped circular central medallion with interlaced arabesque scrolls on a blue ground in a larger scalloped red-ground medallion with paired wavy forms at the far ends of the field. The intervening space is graced with sinuous tendrils, many of which hang in a lilting sickle shape - an early form of the so-called ‘Herati’ pattern. The border has an exquisite arabesque vinescroll set against a rich red ground in a framing contrast to the dominant greens and blues of the field with interlaced lotus blossoms, palmettes and rosettes. The central field features repeating floral clusters with curved serrated leaves on a pale green ground of this superb carpet is superb, a fitting complement to the perfection of its drawing. This piece has been deaccessioned by the Tryon Palace Commission. Publications: Arthur Urbane Dilley, Oriental Rugs and Carpets, J.B. Lippencott, 1959, Plate XLV. Walter B. Denny, Journal of Islamic Art, Vol. I, Yale University Press, 1983, pp. 103-122. Gregor Norman-Wilcox, Antiques Magazine, April 1959, pp. 366-374. For related examples, see John Kimberly Mumford, The Yerkes Collection of Oriental Carpets, The Knapp Company, New York, 1910.
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