Table Carpet for the Stirling Castle Palace, Scotland

Another Distinctive Bespoke Project

Stirling Castle Palace is being restored to its 16th century splendour and several fine oriental carpets are to be specially created to furnish the bedchamber of Mary de Guise, the Royal Consort of Scotland, second spouse of King James V. Amongst these there will be a Table Carpet which will draw its inspiration from but not, in the words of the brief, be a slavish copy of the splendid 16th C specimen which is presently in the V & A Museum, London. For more about this carpet also see Jennifer Wearden's Oriental Carpets and Their Structure.

Detailed background information on the Stirling Castle Palace Project is available here (pdf).

Stirling Castle Palace Project Update

Technical Data

Size
7'. 7 " x 8'. 3 " (approx:)

Foundation
Wool

Pile
Wool

Knot Count
195 kpsi approx

Weave:
triple wefted fabric with alternate warps depressed

Origin
Turkish
mid 16th C

It would seem that initially in Europe oriental carpets were more likely to be found on tables than on floors. As evidenced by several paintings of the period they were mostly in the standard rectangular shape resulting in folds at the corners. Obviously unlike the specimen above they were not originally intended for tables.

Portrait of Constantijn Huygens and his Clerk 1627, by Thomas de Keyser (detail)

BESPOKE RUGS

TABLE and other carpets

MUGHAL PICTORIAL CARPET

Lahori Pictorial Rug

MUGHAL FLORAL & NICHE CARPET

Floral and Niche Carpet

SPANISH KNOT CARPET
for the bedchamber
of Edward 1 in the Medieval Palace, Tower of London
Tower Rug

LOTTO RUG

Lotto

DARBARI RANGE

Mahi

I am taking this opportunity to investigate carpets designed and woven specifically for use as table covers. Not unsurprisingly there don't seem to be many around. If you know of any other specimens, old or new and of whatever origin whatsoever I'll appreciate hearing from you.