Bakshaish carpet
northern Persia
circa 1880
Size: 540 x 400 cm
Bakshaish is a village near Heriz in north west Persia which produced rugs and large carpets until the end of last century. Whilst many of these carpets display designs similar to those of neighbouring Heriz, the products of Bakshaish are generally finer in construction and floppier to handle.
The most striking feature of north Persian town or cottage industry carpets is the bold design full of vitality and character unlike the large carpets made in city workshops.
This piece features an arrangement of interlinked lozenges, palmettes and medallions in the field.
Together with central Persian Zieglers and north west Persian Serapi carpets, Bakshaish are considered the absolute ‘bee’s knees’ of roomsize decorative carpets.