Rare Dorokhsh ‘Tree of Life’ Carpet

A Rare Dorokhsh Carpet, Khorasan, Northeast Persia, Wool on Cotton foundation,

Antique

The dark blue field with a central ascending tree issuing angular and curvilinear vines adorned with polychrome palmettes, flower heads and leaves, supporting small exotic birds, topped by a pair of peacocks bearing inscriptions, flanked by a variety of  symbolic, wild, domestic and mythical animals, birds and ducks, within red spandrels adorned with combative animals, surrounded by a dark blue border enclosing  continuous red turtle palmettes alternating with pale blue flower heads linked by angular vines issuing polychrome hooked leaves, supported by small birds, a red inner border enclosing continuous polychrome botehs, a similar green outer border supported by multiple guard borders

On first inspection due to the presence of an ascending tree into an arch, it could be assumed that this design presents a Prayer rug composition, however the asymmetry is in fact symmetrical due to the presence of corresponding mirrored spandrels at the bottom end. The jewel-like colours are typically from an extensive Dorokhsh palette of significant age, though the sheer number of varied colours present in this carpet is exceptional and are used to great artistic effect.

The field design would appear to represent a celebration of the natural world with a magnificent tree in full blossom displaying all its glory, and supported by a variety of traditionally represented animals and birds, natural, mythical, and symbolic. The symbolic element shows an historic emblem of Persia, for a full explanation see foot note. The drawing of the various fauna forms is unusual and rare to Dorokhsh, magnificently presented, consistent with a traditional style of drawing as seen in northwest Persian rugs, with a hint of naivety associated with a tribal style of drawing absent of naturalistic detail. The overall appearance is enhanced further by the presence of a dark background which brings to life the rich colours of the pattern details to superb dramatic decorative effect. The border arrangement is intriguing, firstly the main blue border displays continuous in and out ‘Turtle’ palmettes, so named as their shape resembles a turtle, though is purely a flora form which is a motif frequently seen in carpets throughout the rug making world drawn in varying styles dependant on regional traditions. The in and out arrangement gives a real sense of movement to the overall pattern, enhanced by the jewel like complementary colours. The minor border treatment is no less impressive, and is courageous in that normally such detailed borders would be present supporting a detailed field pattern, yet here supports a bold rendition. Multiple secondary borders or guard stripes are often seen in carpets from the Khorassan district and in this case the attention to detail particularly in the drawing of the boteh motif as seen continuously in the inner red and outer green guard borders is as important to any other pattern detail presented here, and enhances the overall visual impact. The elongated drawing of the boteh motif is characteristic to Dorokhsh weavers. The combination of both curvilinear and rectilinear drawing of the motifs is also worthy of note and is a relatively rare concept in the scheme of things.

This is a rare Persian Dorokhsh carpet, displaying an outstanding original design not just for Dorokhsh but conceptually for a woven work of art. Ultimately this Persian Dorokhsh carpet of rare large proportion presents a remarkable original and powerful image displaying a meaningful pictorial image open to interpretation.

Foot note:

The symbol most associated with Persia (Iran) is that of the Lion and the Sun. So much so that most observers forget that the originators of this symbol as an emblem of Persia, and subsequently, of its ruling house, were the Qajars (Kadjars), and subsequently adopted or rather continued by the Pahlavi dynasty. The symbol itself is of great antiquity. It has astrological reference to the constellation of Leo and its ascendancy when the sun is in Leo. It also refers to ancient symbols of royal lineages and divinity; the sun being a symbol of solar deities and, by extension, of solar lineages. Both the Sun and the Lion are also symbols of royalty from ancient times (e.g., “Lion of Judah”), the sun being the ruler of the heavens, and the lion being the ruler over the animals, as the king is the ruler over men. Closer in time to the Qajars (Kadjars), the emblem of the Lion and the Sun was used on banners of the Timurid dynasty of the Mughal rulers of India, notably those of Shah Jahan 1592-1666 (r.1627-1659), but also earlier by other Persian and Mughal rulers.

The emblem of the Lion and the Sun was first adopted officially by the Qajars (Kadjars) under Mohammad Shah (r.1834-48). The emblem changed over time from a lion (often depicted lying on the ground) and a sun with a human face, to a lion standing and holding a sword in its right paw and a sun across its back, to a lion standing and holding a sword in its right paw with a sun across its back and the Qajar (Kadjar) crown at the top of the sun, thus merging the double symbol of royalty and royal power with that of the Qajar (Kadjar) crown.

Antique Dorokhsh Tree of Life Carpet. This piece was handwoven in Dorokhsh, nearby to Mashad in the Khorasan province of Iran. For further information please contact us and our team will be pleased to assist you. All pieces in the collection are under the auspices of Essie Sakhai, one of the world’s foremost experts and collectors of fine handmade Persian rugs and carpets.