Antique Indian Shawl Rug 41481

Indian Rug, India, Late 19th Century - The field of this meticulously elegant antique Kashmir embroidered shawl has a classic medallion design derived from Safavid and Mogul carpets. But the articulation of the pattern as a radiating series of fine arabesques in gold and ivory against a uniformly red ground gives it an appearance and linear effect quite different from carpets. The palmette border is similarly distinctive in its design texture. The fineness and precision of the technique is staggering. No photographs can do it proper justice.