BAKSHAISH
Northwest Persian Antique Carpet

(High-Collectible) ("One of “60 Best-of-Their-Type Rugs Sold in 2023") No other Persian carpet tradition created patterns as fascinating and consistently original as Bakshaish rugs of the 19th century. Here we see an original, mesmerizing large-scale allover design that is essentially a series of compartments containing elaborate palmettes or giant abstract blossom heads. As part of this carpet's secret visual language, notice that the lower quarter of the field design has a more intense, pixelated quality than the remainder above. The beautifully aged colors present are enchanting and applied from adventurous large bands of abrash shifts to the finest ripples to produce a tremendous sense of dimensionality. Mastery of the famous blue tonality that Bakshaish dyers are known for is the result of this tradition's deep knowledge of the dyestuff in their area, which produced a multitude of shadings and subtle ever-changing gradations. Its Shah Abbas border motif contains charm and sprinklings of spontaneously included ornaments, with twists and turns that compress and expand to fascinate the viewer endlessly. This one-of-a-kind folk art masterpiece pulses with charming naivety coupled with an erudition acquired over the generations. Its fine patina of age creates a magical, shimmering surface.

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