PERSIAN ART

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1930, Page 5

PERSIAN ART

WONDERFUL TEXTILES, EXHIBITION IN LONDON, LONDON, November 1. Including our own, no fewer than sixteen countries are contributing to the forthcoming exhibition of Persian art which is to be held at Burlington House in January. Persia herself leads, of course, and the museums of Paris, Berlin, Brussels, The Hague, Vienna, Milan, Philadelphia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Egypt, and Poland are sending examples; The Soviet Government also has definitely agreed to lend Persian treasures, , t iliese articles will be sent to London next month, and includeTpriceless silver vessels belonging to the Sasanian period Persian art. . They are wonderful pieces of work. , The Sa'snninn period dates from the year 250 A.D. to the year 640, and during that time the earliest traditions of Persian art were revived. The vessels which the Soviet Government are sending represent the high water-mark of that artistic development. They consist principally of silver plates and ewers, and are beautifully chased with representations of animals and human figures. The Sasauian period was also remarkable for its wonderful textiles and brocades. There are only four tiny pieces of brocade of the period in the world to-day. One is believed t obe in Germany, another in America one in France, and one in Czecho-Slo-vakia. The only one that has been definitely traced is that in Czechoslovakia. It is only a few inches square ,aiul was found by accident in the binding of a Missal in a church in Prague. It is hoped to secure it for the exhibition. Private owners are being generous and Mrs Rockfeller McCormick is sending a silk animal carpet reputed to have cost £40,000. Preparations are now being made at Burlington House for the exhibition, and the treasures that have already arrived are being closely guarded, detectives being on duty night and day.