Lot 52
  • 52

A Zareh Penyamine Kum Kapi silk and brocaded prayer rug, Istanbul, Turkey,

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description

  • A Zareh Penyamine Kum Kapi silk and brocaded prayer rug
  • approximately 5ft. 7in. by 3ft. 10in. (1.70 by 1.17m.)
with flatwoven silk highlights, signed "Zareh" in one palmette

Condition

Pile generally very closely sheared, close to 1/10in. throughout with small scattered foldwear areas low to knot heads. Reds abrashed to brown in areas. Original end finishes with losses (into guard border approx. 1/4 inch in spots) to upper end, which is also detached in areas, now secured with later stitching. Lower end with original silk flatweave and warp fringes. Sides complete with original 5 cord selvages with some minor losses in areas. Graceful design and dense weave. Mounted and good overall condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The lot offered here is from the workshop of Zareh Penyamine, undoubtly one of the finest and best known weavers of the Kum Kapi ateliers, which he led as official master weaver between 1903 and 1906. In the early twentieth century, these workshops produced magnificent weavings technically equalling or surpassing the Safavid and Ottoman court rugs from which they took their inspiration. The rug offered here combines the technical and aesthetic brilliance of silk palmettes, graceful flowerheads and vinery offset by scrolling cloudbands. Unlikely most of Zareh's works, this piece does not contain metal thread, which was often used to enhance the lavishness and luminosity of the final product. Instead, flatwoven areas of silk in a souf-like technique add depth and plasticity to the cloudbands and outer guard borders, which lend an air of restrained beauty to the whole rug. For more information on the Kum Kapi workshops see Pamela Bensoussan, Hali, Vol. 7, no. 2, pp.-34-41 and George F. Farrow, Hagop Kapoudjian, London, 1993. Kum Kapi prayer rugs with similar field design but with large-scale inscriptions in their borders were sold Sotheby's New York, June 4, 1988, lot 145 and May 18, 1985, lot 91. A silk and metal-thread prayer rug by Zareh with very similar borders was sold Christie's London, October 13, 2005, lot 22.