Conserving the Emperor’s Carpet

The magnificent sixteenth-century Emperor’s Carpet from Safavid Iran was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum in 1941, but its condition was so fragile that it was only displayed for public twice over the next sixty years. This video documents the ambitious three-year conservation program that was launched in 2006 to stabilize the condition of the carpet so its lustrous wools and dazzling colors can be displayed the Museum on a regular basis. Featured speakers: Sheila Canby, Florica Zaharia, Midori Sato, Yael Rosenfeld, Janina Poskrobko The Emperor’s Carpet; second half 16th century; silk (warp and weft), wool (pile; asymmetrically pile; Rug: L. 299 in. (759.5 cm), W. 133 1/2 in. (339.1 cm), Wt. on a 10“ tube: 144 lbs. (65.3 kg) Learn more about this artwork: © 2013 The Metropolitan Museum of Art #TheMet #art #museum #history #NewYork #Islamic #carpet #conservation Subscribe to see weekly videos: