I really wonder why they did that. It is a clever alteration though. Sometimes these rugs also had European figures woven into them. I wonder if that was the case with this carpet. It's a very pretty design, I especially like how the it's both female on one side and male on the other sharing the same tree. I'd be curious to see other examples similar that may be out there with the actual figure still woven in. I've seen a couple of these, but they're usually overseas as that's where the history is. Very fine weave too.

Great point, The literal "defacing" of iconic figures absolutely has grounds in some of the most important historical figures. The interesting thing is that it was replaced with a this tree of life type of design. I wonder, some of these pictorial carpets take very, very skilled weavers to create. Possibly the re-weaver was unable to properly replicate what once was there? I just wonder if maybe the tree of life was a tribute to the life of such a ruler? The interesting thing is it appears as though some of the crown had been maintained, as there is one original feather which remained untouched.