Porcelain carpet weight, painted dark blue under a transparent glaze and covered with famille verte enamels in black, green, red, yellow, and blue as well as with gilding
China; around 1700
H: 14.2; W (base): 12.4; Diam (dome): 8.4 cm
Inventory number 5/2019
Carpet weights, mir-i-farsh (master of the carpet), are a largely Indian phenomenon known especially from the Deccan and Mughal courts in the 17th-19th centuries. They are most often found in sets of four and were intended to hold light textiles in place for outdoor use.
This porcelain carpet weight was made in China specially for export to India. Its transparent glaze with famille verte enamels indicates that the carpet weight dates to the Kangxi period (1662-1722).
The shape of the carpet weight was inspired by the domed buildings known from the Indian-Islamic architecture of the period.
The David Collection moreover owns three Indian carpet weights from the 17th and 18th centuries whose shape is related to that of this porcelain carpet weight. The three are made of glass, basalt, and marble (12/2012.)
This porcelain carpet weight was made in China specially for export to India. Its transparent glaze with famille verte enamels indicates that the carpet weight dates to the Kangxi period (1662-1722).
The shape of the carpet weight was inspired by the domed buildings known from the Indian-Islamic architecture of the period.
The David Collection moreover owns three Indian carpet weights from the 17th and 18th centuries whose shape is related to that of this porcelain carpet weight. The three are made of glass, basalt, and marble (12/2012.)
