134-135 / 168
133
132
79
JAIL DURRIE WITH MEDALLION PATTERN
BIKANER, RAJASTHAN, CIRCA 1930
Handspun and handwoven cotton warp and weft
50 x 70.75 in (127 x 180 cm)
$ 1,520 - 3,035
Rs 1,00,000 - 2,00,000
This striking red and blue rug is patterned with
eight large medallions, perhaps replicating
medallion designs seen on pile carpets. The
border continues the sentiment, with a design
of a scrolling vine bearing single red buds and
flowering blossoms. All the patterns are subtly
outlined with a thin brown or white line, showing
the skill of the weaver to such fine detailing.
78
JAIL DURRIE WITH FISH PATTERN
BIKANER, RAJASTHAN, CIRCA 1930
Handspun and handwoven cotton warp and weft
47 x 72 in (120 x 183 cm)
$ 3,035 - 4,550
Rs 2,00,000 - 3,00,000
India has a long history of flat
weaves, with the craft pre-dating
the pile-carpet industry that
emerged later and flourished
with the Mughals in the 16
th
century. With the end of
Mughal rule and the loss of royal
patronage towards the end of
the 19
th
and early 20
th
centuries,
the British stepped in and took
over some of the existing carpet
workshops. They also introduced
carpet weaving in prisons in
an effort to provide long-term
prisoners a dependable vocation
for earning their livelihood.
These carpets were popularly
known as prison or jail carpets,
and are much sought after by
collectors. Prisons in Bikaner,
Lahore, Agra and Amritsar were
famous for their carpets. Lots 79
and 80 are fine examples of this
genre from Bikaner Jail. Jasleen
Dhamija acquired both from the
jail’s stock in 1958, when a few
were still left.
The cream colour carpet has a
striking blue border; its central
field has a classic design known
as
mahai do hum
. The pattern
is reminiscent of a double fish
around a lotus pond or a water
tank, and is associated with
water and fertility. Extremely fine
and expertly woven it is clearly
the work of a long-term prisoner.