Hunting Rugs

( Originally Published Early 1900's )

The hunting rugs of Persia are the most remarkable and interesting rugs known. They had their origin in the Chinese pictures of hunting scenes, from which the designs were copied. The most sumptuous example of this type of rug now in existence is in the possession of the Austrian Government. Mounted hunters in Persian dress adorn a center field, galloping in pursuit of native Persian animals over a ground covered with flower-clad vines. Winged genii hover among flowers in the broad main border.

Another fine hunting rug on display in the Boston Museum is so similar in design to Persian and Indian lacquer work of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that it is evident the motif must have been copied. It represents a hunting scene with Indian and other Far-Eastern animals. A hunting car drawn by an ox and other interesting scenes are shown in a pavilion. Mosques of grotesque design make up the border.

These two rugs are the supreme examples of Indo-Persian hunting rugs. Similar ones of coarser and less elaborate workmanship are included in various private and museum collections. Among these is one belonging to Baron Adolphe Rothschild, another to M. Maciet of Paris and a third at the Royal Palace at Stockholm.

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