Rug with Persian Inscription

This rug originally belonged to the Shah of Persia, Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar (1831-96). During the opening ceremonies for the Suez Canal in November 1869, it decorated the Gezirah Palace, constructed for the event by Isma’il Pasha (1830-95), the Khedive (viceroy) of Egypt and Sudan. Because France was the major sponsor of the canal project, an important guest at the ceremony was the Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III of France. Later, the Shah presented the rug to the Empress, and it remained in her possession until the fall of the French Empire, when her belongings were sold at auction in Paris.

The rug was made in fine silk saturated with ivory, gold, and red. The brilliant colors not only create a translucent luster on the rug, but also symbolize the wealth and power of the owner. The fabric uses the Ghiordes knot, or Turkish knot, that brings both tuft ends together to the surface between two warp yarns, providing a strong consistency and symmetry to the carpet.

The composition of intertwined, symmetrical floral patterns—a combination of stylized peony and palmette motifs—delivers a visual effect of infinity. The patterns also highlight a large cartouche in the central medallion and eight border cartouches that frame Persian inscriptions, lines from selected odes of Persia’s beloved poet, Sa’di Shirazi (1210–ca. 1291–2).