Shaped Wool Carpet with Floral Motifs

This shaped carpet belongs to a group of fine Indian carpets distinguished by an arched trapezoidal form and rows of naturalistic floral bouquets oriented towards the left, upper, and right edges. Such carpets are attributed to Lahore or Kashmir and generally dated to the reign of Shah Jahan (r. 1628–66). Their original use is subject to speculation. Some scholars have suggested that they were ordered for the Amber Fort, the residence of the Kachwaha Rajputs, where, arranged in pairs, they perhaps enclosed a fountain or throne.