On 24^th July Tennants Auctioneers will offer an outstanding Ziegler Mahal Persian carpet originally from Elveden Hall.  

 

The present house was built in 1850’s by Sir John Norton as the home for the last Sikh Maharaja Duleep Singh who was deposed by the British in the Punjab in 1849.  It was Duleep Singh who ‘gave' the Koh i Noor diamond to Queen Victoria. The unfortunate maharaja was exiled and spent much of his life in the village of Elveden, dying in 1893.  Following his death, the house was bought and lavishly refurbished by Sir Edward Guinness, Earl of Iveagh who bought 23 Ziegler carpets for his new home.

 

Christies sold the contents of Elveden in 1984 with many of the larger Ziegler carpets selling for £30,000 + each.  The Tennants Ziegler measures 356 x 254 cm and remains in outstanding condition. It carries a presale estimate of £12,000-18,000. This carpet was purchased by the present owner’s husband from the Elveden house sale in 1984.

 

During the last two decades of the 19^th century, Ziegler carpets were considered amongst the very best oriental weavings of the day. They remain the most sought after oriental carpets on the market today, with prices for the largest Zieglers exceeding £100,000 at auction.

 
The Design

The central medallion was usually reduced in size or discarded in favour of an all over design, Borders were wide and bold. Soft pastel colours were used. Sizes and shapes were commissioned to suit European/American homes. Prices for the largest Zieglers can exceed £100,000 at auction.

 

Tennants auctioneers will offer the above Elveden Ziegler carpet on 24^th July, presale estimate £12,000-18,000.

For further information please call Andrew Middleton on +44 (0)1969 623780.