Textiles and tapestries now on trend shine at Roseberys George Farrow collection auction
24 May 2024 At the heart of the George Farrow collection, going under the hammer at Roseberys next month, is a selection of tapestries, textiles and carpets.
Textiles are an integral part of the George Farrow collection.
The auction on June 4 is loaded with around 550 treasures from China, the Middle East and Europe. Among them are framed European textiles, Islamic works including carpets. Some of the rooms in his house were actually dedicated to this collecting field.
“He believed carpets/textiles elevate a room, blending centuries and countries, giving warmth and texture,” says a representative of the auction house.
Recently there has been a trend towards textiles from the interior design set. Curtains, wall hangings, rugs and bed covers are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a way to add colour and texture to the home, and possibly as a drift towards maximalism in decorating.
Here we look at a selection of some of the textiles going under the hammer, but there are many more to find at the Roseberys page on thesaleroom.com.
Attributed to the workshop of Jean II Barraband and Charles Vigne, this 18th century Berlin Chinoiserie tapestry is the top-estimated lot in the sale at £100,000-200,000. It depicts ‘The Emperor’s Banquet’ from the Grossmogulenfolge or Grand Mogul cycle. Other tapestries from the series are in institutions such as The Princely Collections of Liechtenstein. Anna Evans of Roseberys calls the tapestry, which measures more than 3m in both directions, “the collection’s undisputed highlight both because of its rarity and its striking vibrancy”.
“Of the many arts patronised by the Ottoman court, silk textiles represent some of the finest examples,” says Alice Bailey of Roseberys. “Voided velvets woven from silk-velvet pile and thread of silver or gold were among the most impressive and sought-after pieces.” Characteristically, this pair of voided crimson velvet and silk çatma panels contrast velvet pile against areas of no pile with metal threads. The fine, 17th century examples, each containing a circular floral garland, are offered with an estimate of £20,000-30,000.
Estimated at £2000-3000 is this set of three 17th century Flemish tapestry border fragments woven in wools and silks and depicting flying native and exotic birds.
Estimated at £15,000-20,000 is this courtly velvet panel from Safavid Iran, c.1600, surrounded by silk from Qajar Iran from the 19th century. Probably a royal commission, the silk ground is worked with a repeated motif of a grotesque perched in a tree inhabited with birds. Alice Bailey of Roseberys says: “This spectacular and unique Safavid velvet is a highlight of the Farrow collection and demonstrates Mr Farrow’s scholarly interest in his collection and his keen eye.”
Among the Asian textiles on offer is this set of four 18th century Chinese Kesi silk panels depicting hunting scenes mounted in black lacquer glazed frames and estimated at £500-800.
Made in the second half of the 19th century this Persian silk Heriz rug, guided at £2000-3000, bears a central field with a floral medallion.
