Golden Sultanabad Carpet with Floral Sprays and Abrash Changes
A central Persian Sultanabad carpet, late 19th century, a particularly beautiful example with an unusual golden yellow ground, displaying a central design of floral sprays in vases, with tonal 'Abrash' changes in the blue corner spandrels, 74.02 in. long, 47.24 in. wide. Provenance: Purchased Nomadic rug Traders, 1993. Other Notes: smaller Sultanabad rugs are less frequently encountered. Like all pieces large and small, they are characterised by a likeness of palette and designs reflecting the 'decorative arts' rather than 'tribal' aesthetic. Sultanabad was the old name for the township of Arak in central Persia, and during the 2nd half of the 19th century carpet production expanded in catering to the burgeoning European taste for the designs and palette of the rugs from the area. William Morris is accredited with the growing popularity of such carpets. Sultanbad products are often referred to as 'Zieglers', while the Manchester based Swiss firm Ziegler & Co were responsible for much of the production during the last quarter of the 19th century.
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- Morris, William - William Morris (1834 - 1896) an architect designer, artist, writer, poet and social activist is regarded as a leader of the Arts & Crafts movement in England.
After studying theology, ecclesiastical history, medieval poetry and art at Oxford University, Morris began work with a firm of architects for a short period.
In 1861 he formed a company Morris Marshall, Faulkner & Co. was formed to design and produce wallpaper, carpets, tapestries and stained glass, and they initially secured ecclesiastical works, later extending to domestic assignments.
In 1874 he took sole control of the company, buying out the other partners, and renaming it Morris & Co.
The origins of his designs can be traced to medieval Gothic styles but his organic flower and bird motifs encouraged later artists to seek inspiration for their designs in nature.
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