Antique Oversize Rajasthani Palace Dhurrie
This antique oversized Rajasthani Palace dhurrie represents the rich tradition of flat-woven cotton carpets known as dhurries, which are mentioned in Mughal chronicles from the 15th century. Likely one of the earliest types of floor coverings, dhurries were created in various formats to serve different purposes, from bed covers to prayer mats. Most of these dhurries were woven in the northern region of Rajasthan, often in local jails. They were typically commissioned for specific areas within the Maharaja’s palaces.
This extremely rare and massive dhurrie features a tile pattern of red, blue, and white diamonds, a hallmark of the palace dhurries woven in Udaipur. Oversized pieces like this were commissioned by the Maharajas for important occasions, serving as architectural backdrops to decorate significant parts of their palaces.
For a similar example, refer to D. Black’s “The Unappreciated Dhurrie,” London 1982, plate 7, p. 33.