Rare Persian Judaica pictorial Kirman carpet

This highly unusual Persian carpet is of the Kirman type, named for the city and province of the same name. Carpets of this kind are celebrated for their intricate design, vibrant colour palette, and superb construction. The present example is an unusual example of the type, designed with a Biblical story and joint Hebrew and Farsi inscriptions.

The carpet features an ornate framing border of fauna and dromedaries interspersed with roundels containing portraits. The main scene, set above a salmon-coloured field, depicts the King Ahasuerus, Esther, and Haman—among other members of the court—in a scene derived from the Biblical Book of Esther. To the left of the King’s head is his name, Ahasuerus, in both Farsi and Hebrew scripts. The carpet is a wonderful example of Persian Judaica and a superb example of the Kirman type.