A SAFAVID SILK LAMPAS FRAGMENT, PERSIA, 17TH ... Lot n° 41

Depicting a row of ogival cartouches, each surrounded by a band of calligraphy, on copper ground, each cartouche depciting a youth with cup and flask. 18 by 30 cm. CATALOGUE NOTE The inscriptions consist of Persian verses, probably from the Omar Khayyam Rubaiyat: ‘Since Moon and Venus first appeared in the sky No one has seen anything better than ruby wine. I often wonder what the Vintners buy One half so precious as the Goods they sell’. For two related panels forming a document case, see Patricia Baker, Islamic Textiles, 1995, p. 117.