The Rockefeller Homage: Hand-Knotted Pure Silk Kashmiri Hunting Carpet, Modern Heritage Design
 
The Curatorial Note
Drawing profound inspiration from the legendary Safavid and Mughal hunting carpets of the sixteenth century present in the legendary Rockefellar family collection, the 'Rockefeller Homage 'is a masterful study in textile narrative and historical reverence.
 
This carpet’s central field is a mesmerising tableau, populated by a dynamic menagerie—leaping gazelles and prowling spotted felines—caught in an eternal, aristocratic chase. These figures are rendered with astonishing anatomical grace, intertwined within a densely populated arabesque of split-leaf foliage, scrolling vines, and delicate floral meanders. The design is at once wild and deeply ordered, achieving a perfect symmetrical harmony that guides the eye effortlessly across the silk canvas.
 
To the discerning eye, this piece reveals a fascinating dialogue with antique Chinese textile traditions, an inheritance of the Sino-Persian artistic exchange that flourished along the Silk Route. The spatial fluidity of the composition—where beasts and flora appear to float without a rigid directional ground—echoes the ethereal landscapes of Ming dynasty silks.
 
Furthermore, the undulating vines are punctuated by highly stylised, open-faced lotus palmettes, a direct descendant of the traditional Chinese water lily and lotus motifs. Even the rendering of the spotted deer, a creature that symbolises longevity and prosperity in Chinese classical iconography, serves to bridge the visual lexicons of East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, bringing an eclectic, worldly pedigree to the design.
 
 
The palette is a testament to sophisticated restraint. Grounded in a luminous champagne bisque, the field provides a warm, reflective stage for accents of sage green, muted cerulean, dusty rose, and warm umber. Woven entirely of pure mulberry silk—both pile and weft—the carpet possesses an extraordinary lustre. As light travels across its surface, the directional pile shifts in tone, giving the hunting scenes an almost kinetic, breathing quality. The sheer density of the weave, executed at a remarkable 576 knots per square inch, permits a level of curvilinear detail that rivals the finest miniature paintings of the era.
 
This piece exemplifies the foundational ethos of Jos and Fine: the preservation of historic Kashmiri artisanship interpreted for the modern connoisseur.
 
Requiring seven months of continuous dedication on the loom, the Rockefeller Homage transcends mere decoration. It is a modern heirloom, translating the grandeur of museum-grade antiquities into a tactile, enduring legacy for the contemporary interior.
 
Technical Specifications
Collection Design: The Rockefeller Homage (Classical Hunting Motif)
Material: 100% Silk Pile, 100% Silk Weft
Origin: Kashmir, India (GI-Tagged Heritage Craftsmanship)
Technique: Hand-knotted
Knot Density: 576 Knots Per Square Inch (KPSI) / 66 RAJ
Dimensions: 6 ft x 4 ft (183 cm x 122 cm)
Craft Time: 7 Months
Motif Lexicon: Safavid Prowling Felines, Leaping Gazelles, Sino-Persian Lotus Palmettes, Scrolling Arabesques
Primary Colour Palette: Champagne Bisque, Sage Green, Muted Cerulean, Dusty Rose, Warm Umber
 
Interior Styling Context
Given its luminous colourway, rich narrative motifs, and cross-cultural historical pedigree, this piece serves as a magnificent anchor for an intimate private library or a refined executive study. Alternatively, it acts as a breathtaking, texturally rich focal point in a minimalist, neutral-toned contemporary living space, bridging the gap between historical grandeur and modern restraint.