Collection Online as of December 6, 2023

Carpet

1800–1850

Undyed wool: ground warp; dark brown wool: ground weft; dyed wool (polychrome): Ghiordes knotted pile

Overall: 219.4 x 154.9 cm (86 3/8 x 61 in.)

Gift of Charles and Irma Wilkinson in honor of Evan and Brenda Turner 1989.473

Location

not on view

Description

Nomadic groups, who moved across the grasslands and steppes between the Caucasus regions near the Caspian Sea to Central Asia and China, perfected the making of textiles, carpets, and other movable works of art. Carpets were woven from sheep’s wool to be strong and thick, and served as protection from the elements. This example is decorated with a double geometric sunburst motif.

Provenance

?-1989

Mrs. Charles [Irma Bezold] Wilkinson [1906-1997], Sharon, CT, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art

1989-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

Diman, Maurice S., Peasant and Nomad Rugs of Asia. New York, 1961. p. 79, ill. p. 63, cat. 19.

"Year in Review: Selestions 1989," CMA Bulletin 77 n.2 (Feb. 1990): p.77, illus p.70.

Asia House Gallery, and Maurice Sven Dimand. Peasant and Nomad Rugs of Asia. New York: The Gallery, 1961. Mentioned: p. 79; Reproduced: p. 63, cat. no. 19

Exhibition history

Peasant and Nomad Rugs of Asia. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (1961).

Order & Rhythm: Carpets from the Islamic World. Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin, OH (organizer) (September 10-November 7, 1993).

The Year in Review for 1989. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 6-April 15, 1990).

Islamic art rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (December 7, 2017-October 29, 2018).