A large rectangular carpet fragment with borders on two sides. Strapwork design in red and yellow silk with gold- and silver-wrapped thread. Carpet fragment, silk knotted pile on silk foundation with metal-wrapped thread brocading, 'Polonaise' strapwork design on red ground with borders on two sides, probably Isfahan, Safavid Iran, 1600-1625 Jameel Gallery Carpet Fragment with Red Ground Iran, probably Isfahan 1600-25 Carpets of this type were taken to Europe in the early 17th century through trade or as royal gifts. Many were found in Poland and were later mistaken for Polish products. Yet the design is nearly identical to that of a huge carpet donated to the shrine at Najaf in Iraq, probably by Shah Abbas the Great. Silk warps (Z2S), silk wefts and pile, and metal-wrapped thread Museum no. T.36-1954 [Jameel Gallery] This type of carpet is known as a ‘Polonaise carpet’ even though it was made in Iran. The design of this fragment is nearly identical to that of a huge carpet donated to the shrine at Najaf in Iraq, probably by Shah Abbas the Great. The misleading name arose because carpets of this type came to Europe in the early 17th century through trade or as royal gifts. Many were found in Poland and were later mistaken for Polish products. This gave rise to the term ‘Polonaise carpet’.