World · India Bureau
Rare 17th-century Mughal carpet heads to Sotheby's auction block
A prized hunting carpet from the Mughal era, once owned by prominent American and European collectors, is set for auction at Sotheby's. The four-century-old textile exemplifies the sophisticated artistic traditions that flourished in the Indian subcontinent during the reign of the Mughals.
LSN India ·
The 'Yerkes-Remarque' carpet, a masterwork of 17th-century Indian craftsmanship, will be offered for sale at Sotheby's, bringing renewed attention to the remarkable cultural heritage of Mughal-era textile production. The carpet's surface is embellished with elaborate hunting scenes and commanding decorative motifs characteristic of the period, representing an apex of artistic achievement in South Asian material culture.
The carpet has passed through the collections of several notable figures over the centuries. Its provenance includes American financier and real estate magnate Charles T. Yerkes, as well as German-Austrian novelist and Nobel Prize nominee Erich Maria Remarque. The Thyssen family, known for their significant art acquisitions, also held the piece at some point in its ownership history.
The upcoming auction represents a significant opportunity for institutions and collectors to acquire a substantial example of Mughal carpet weaving, a field in which Indian artisans achieved international acclaim. The textile's survival across four centuries and multiple continents underscores the durability and enduring appeal of traditional South Asian weaving techniques.
Such carpets were among the most sought-after luxury goods produced in the Indian subcontinent during the height of Mughal power, often commissioned by emperors and nobility. The intricate labour required to produce these textiles and their elaborate iconography make them valued artifacts of Asian art history.