A collection of carpets by prominent St. Louisan and entrepeneur James F. Ballard (1851-1931) is the subject of a current exhibit at the Saint Louis Art Museum.
“The Carpet and the Connoisseur: The James F. Ballard Collection of Oriental Rugs,” features 51 carpets and two Persian pleasure tents, making this exhibit the museum’s first major show on the topic in almost 90 years. It opened March 6 and will run through May 8, 2016.
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Ballard’s scholarly approach defined and differentiated his carpets, turning him into one of the country’s foremost collectors of carpets at the turn of the century.
“Ballard took a methodical, historical overview,” says Zoe Perkins, SLAM textile conservator and co-curator of the exhibition. “He was very conscientious about how designs were developed and shared, and he tried to find from where the designs originated.”
While fellow collectors such as John D. Rockefeller, Jr. hired dealers to travel on their behalf and purchase classical Persian and Indian carpets, Ballard traveled the world, educating himself and building a collection.
Ballard’s collection of rugs includes a selection of Anatolian carpets from Eastern Turkey, including the late 18th-early 19th century Medallion Carpet with jewelry motifs on red ground. The rug’s unusual format composed of a central medallion with triangular jewel-like motifs woven around its perimeter is one of the most elegant Anatolian carpets Perkins says she has seen.
Other standouts from the exhibit include a 16th century Ushak Medallion that Perkins says is “a masterpiece; one of the best known of its type,” with an intricate design, quatrefoil medallion and vibrant blue and red shades that have not faded over time; and a richly colored late 18th century Small Dragon carpet that boldly combines geometric octagonal motifs with a floral pattern.
According to lore, Ballard’s passion for rugs was ignited one day in 1905. While walking in the Murray Hill neighborhood in New York City, he was captivated by the site of an oriental rug in a shop window, changing his life for good.
Ultimately, Ballard divided his collection between the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and the Saint Louis Art Museum, with the latter receiving a larger portion comprised of 110 carpets. To this day, this gift remains one of SLAM’s most important and comprehensive collections.
“The Carpet and the Connoisseur: The James F. Ballard Collection of Oriental Rugs” runs from March 6 to May 8, 2016, at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $6 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children under the age of 5. Tickets are available in person or through MetroTix.
