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THE COLLECTION
I
n 1873, the city on the Danube hosted an elaborate world's
fair — e Vienna Exhibition promoting "Culture and
Education." Russia, Japan, and the Ottoman Empire
with their displays of traditionally dressed mannequins
and replicas of Topkapi Palace and Turkish baths all saw it
as an opportunity to create serious interest in the West for
Eastern culture. e fourth Oriental entrant, Persia, featured
in its pavilion three styles of carpets personally chosen by
Qatar ruler Nasser al-Din Shah to represent his country's
weaving prowess. Of the three, one was a stylistic newcomer
destined to captivate a world market.
Auburn, brick and rust reds, morning glory and inky blues,
burnished and sun-soaked golds enchanted fair-goers as they
strolled past the huge cases displaying this debutant Oriental
carpet. Small to extremely large rugs exhibited floral drawing
FERAHAN–
THE STYLE THAT TOOK
PERSIAN CARPETS GLOBAL
By: Hunter Christensen
Interior of Persian Pavillion with Carpets draping in glass display cases.
The Illustrated London News, volume LXIII, September 20, 1873.
