A rare Amritsar carpet
India, circa 1890s
13ft 9in x 14ft : 420cm x 426cm
With the expansion of the British Empire and the subsequent increase in the demand for exotic goods from the new territories, the British Raj was able to supervise and control productions of carpets in India. Amritsar and Agra became the main centres and using similar designs and colours are often mistakenly attributed. Commissions were received from many stately homes and also for the mercantile classes, which had emerged in Victorian England.
The present carpet, of square format and the light colours employed would indicate a commissioned piece, though created in the 19th century the carpet has a modern edge with a balanced colour combination thus creating a harmony and can be used in both traditional and modern interior design schemes.
