17th century
India
Object qualities
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Object
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Type of arts & crafts
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MediumSilk, metal wrapped thread; cut and voided velvet, brocaded
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SizeRug: L. 183 1/2 in. (466.1 cm) W. 103 3/4 in. (263.5 cm)
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Geography detailsAttributed to
India -
Country today
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Date17th century
Source of information
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Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
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Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
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For special occasions, Mughal palaces and pavilions were spread with silk hangings, carpets, and embroidered velvets. On one New Year’s Day, for instance, the emperor Jahangir mentioned visiting his vizier and brother‑in‑law Asaf Khan, who had covered the road from the palace with velvets woven with gold and gold brocade. This sumptuous carpet may have been used for such an occasion. Its design is reminiscent of Iranian textiles, but ink inscriptions in Gujarati script on its selvages indicate that the carpet was woven in that state, which was well known for the production of silks, velvets, and cottons.
Reconstructions of this ornament