Benlian Tabriz Rugs
Benlian Tabriz Rugs & Carpets
Edward E. Benlian was an Armenian who lived in England (The Orchard, 55 Arthur Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19). He died somewhere around 1973 and there was an estate auction after his death by Phillips, Son & Neale of London, England. Apparently his company produced rugs in Tabriz from the 1900s on. His master weavers included Javan Amir Kizi and Mahmud Ghalicheh.
Benlian represent the top tier of 20th century Tabriz production and the carpets are now old enough to start showing up in the auctions Sotheby’s,.Woolley & Wallis, Christie’s , and Phillips are have mentioned Benlian in their catalogues.
Benlian Tabriz Persian carpets have an eight-pointed star logo in one corner. Most often on the inner guard border.
Examples:
Benlian Tabriz Carpet C. 1920
The design of this carpet is heavily influenced by the so-called Chelsea carpet in the V&A Museum in London
The Doris Leslie Blau Benlian Tabriz Carpet
Circa 1920. Based on a Safavid design, with a star signature cartouche to one corner.
Sadeh Sadeghiani Benlian Tabriz Carpet
Has a star cartouche reading “Sadeh Sadaghiani, Mahmoud Jabbaran Company.”
Important Benlian Tabriz Carpet
Description: Made around 1930-50, signed ‘Mahmud Ghalicheh baf’.
Size: 11ft.11in. x 10ft.7in. (3.63m. x 3.23m.)
Benlian Tabriz Persian Carpet, c.1890
Origin: Northwest Persia
Size: 13ft. 2in. by 9ft. 10in. (4.01 by 3.00m.)
Description: Circa 1920. Signature star cartouche to one corner. Original end finishes, minor stains.
Benlian Tabriz Carpet, c.1920
Origin: Northwest Persia
Size: 14ft. 2in. by 11ft. 3in. (4.32 by 3.43m.)
Description: Circa 1920. Signature star cartouche to one corner. Some oxidized browns, overcast sides.
Tabriz Carpet by the Master Javan Amir Kizi
Origin: Northwest Persia, about 1930
Size: 12ft.3in. x 9ft.6in. (3.73m. x 2.90m.)
Description: Signed ‘Javan Amir Kizi’. Small areas of wear.
Benlian Tabriz Carpet, c.1930
Origin: Northwest Persia, about 1930
Size: 10ft.1in. x 7ft.2in. (3.07m. x 2.18m.)
Description: Star cartouche in one corner of field.
Antique Benlian Tabriz Carpet C. 1930
MEASUREMENTS
Approximately 385 by 298cm., 12ft. 7in. by 9ft. 9in.
DESCRIPTION
Circa 1930