Carpet Woven by "Marvadiah" – Song of Songs – Jerusalem, 1920s

Carpet with images from the Song of Songs, [woven by "Marvadiah" after a design by Ya'akov Kanterovitz]. [Jerusalem, 1920s].
Under a canopy of a tall palm tree bisecting a blue field, and so hinting at the outline of the Tablets of the Law, the main panel displays a rich panoply of intertwining flora and fauna – deer, ibex, turtledove, peacock and crane appear amongst vines and flowers. The main border displays peacocks and clusters of grapes. The two guard strips are inscribed with Hebrew, the outermost of these repeats the words "Song of Songs" whilst the inner strip recites the verse "Hanizanim Niru Ba'aretz…" ("The blossoms have appeared in the land…") from the Song of Songs.
The "Marvadiah" workshop was founded in 1920, as a successor to Bezalel where the carpet-weaving department had been led by Ya'akov Kanterovitz. Kanterovitz also managed "Marvadiah," and designed this carpet.
141X94 cm. Good condition. Slight unraveling and some wear. A cloth band for suspension is sewn at the top margin on the back of the carpet.
Literature: Jewish Carpets, by Anton Felton. London: Antique Collectors' Club, 1997. Item no. 26.
Provenance: Collection of Anton Felton.