A Konya rug fragment, South Central Anatolia

Alexander, C., A Foreshadowing of 21^st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets, New York, 1993, pp. 208 - 212, ill. p. 209.

Alexander. C., 'Early Turkish Rugs A New Way of Looking', Hali, April, 1991, issue 56, p. 124.

Overall measurements; 177cm across the top, 159cm across the bottom, 187cm at widest point (taken at lower inner minor border) 257cm the left hand side, 233 the right hand side, 257cm vertically through the middle. Backing - 265 by 186cm. Pile varies from up to 3-4mm in the blues to heavily worn and holed, as visible in the photograph. Browns oxidised. First hand inspection is advised. Image of weave can be requested via the department, harry.grenfell@sothebys.com, +44(0)207 293 5556
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The present lot shares a number of similarities with lot 64 and Alexander remarks of it ‘This is one of the most majestic and oldest-feeling Turkish carpets that I have handled.’, Alexander, 'Foreshadowing', op.cit., p. 208. An unusual element is the design within the central medallion, reminiscent of a ‘small medallion’ Oushak, an example of which can be seen here, lot 52. This in combination with the border design again shared with lot 64, which can be seen in other Central West Anatolian production, such as the Oushak and ‘Bellini’ in the Ballard Collection, Denny. W., The Carpet and the Connoisseur The Jamess F. Ballard Collection of Oriental Rugs, 95 & 103, pls. 14 & 17 - the ‘Bellini’ also shares a similar design to the central medallion of the offered lot. It is possible that this lot was a more westerly production in Konya and lot 64 more easterly, in each case the dating could conceivably be earlier.