Jameel Gallery
The Chelsea Carpet
Iran
1500-50
The main field contains two large X-shaped compositions made up of large and small medallions. They are balanced by the central device - two vases of flowers on elaborate stands, set on either side of a fish pond. Half of this central device is repeated at either end. The densely decorated field and border includes many animals, shown in repose or in combat.
The history of the carpet is unknown. It is called the Chelsea carpet because it was purchased from a dealer in that part of London.
Wool warp (Z2S), wool wefts and pile
Museum no. 589-1890 [Jameel Gallery]
THE CHELSEA CARPET was given its name simply because it was purchased from a dealer in the Kings Road, Chelsea. It is a 16th century Persian carpet and may have been woven in Tabriz, in the north-west of that country. It is one of the most beautiful and most important Persian carpets to have survived from that period.
This is a small-scale design for personal appreciation and is quite unlike the ceremonial grandeur of the Ardabil Carpet (displayed to the right). The ground of the Chelsea Carpet is like a private estate with grazing and fighting animals and blossom and fruit trees - there are exquisite details such as the ripe pomegranates which have burst open to reveal their seeds. There are elegant dragons in the blue part of the main border and small animal heads are placed among the tracery of the outer border. There is one unusual asymmetrical feature in the end borders: there are four curving red niches at one end and only three at the other. It is possible that these niches indicate place-settings for guests who would be seated around the carpet, with the three most important along one end. In which case the central motifs may represent tableware - central roundel is certainly like a Chinese celedon bowl and there are Chinese-style vases of flowers to either side. Twenty-five people could be comfortably accommodated. [Used until 10/1997]