The Berlin Rug

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phoenix_and_dragon_carpet_Anatolia_first_half_or_middle_15th_century.jpg

The link above gives the history of the piece which inspired the following work.  The chart from which I am working is included in  Frank M. Cooper's book on 'Oriental Carpets in Miniature'.  I'm tempted to leave my work incomplete and give it some additional significance recognizing that it is a copy of a fragment of the original carpet dating back to the 15th century also, understandably, incomplete.  I am not yet decided on this idea.  Here is my progress.

I am using Pearsalls Silks, rich blue, red, off white and golden yellow.  The silk gives a lusciousness to the work, and the light reflected by this pure fibre is of great clarity.  No room for error on this piece since the silk sits so exactly, if there is a change in tension, or incorrect placing of the needle, it will be visible.