Lot 46
  • 46

A Central Anatolian rug

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • wool pile
  • approximately 196 by 128cm; 6ft. 5in., 4ft. 2in.

Provenance

acquired from John Webb Hill, San Francisco, 1977

Literature

Alexander, C., A Foreshadowing of 21st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets, New York, 1993, pp. 310 - 313, ill p. 311.

Condition

Overall measurements; 119cm across the top, 128cm across the bottom, 191cm the right hand side, 196cm the right hand side. Exceptional colour. The colour in the catalogue is a little bit 'hot'. Pile variable, generally good approximately 2mm, with some oxidisation and wear to knotbars. Blacks with re-piling, re-piling in field to left and right of medallion and small scattered re-piled ares elsewhere, has been well executed. losses to outer guards on all four sides. The lower end roughly overlocked and would benefit from attention, the upper end without any overlocking. Depressed warps. An image with outlined areas of repair, which corresponds to the below notes, can be requested from the department - 1) Edge of rug appears to have been trimmed - there were probably banded 2) Later overcasting, quite rough quality 3) Quite a lot of re-piling, throughout rug 4) Judging from the back, about 40% of the dark browns have been re-piled 5/6) Dark browns heavily oxidised on outer cord guard stripe and losses to ends Department contact Harry Grenfell - harry.grenfell@sothebys.com +44 (0)20 7293 5556
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Alexander likens the design of the present lot most to another in his collection, sold Sotheby’s London, 7 November 2017, lot 63, and on comparing the two there are certainly key elements which could link them. These are notably the medallion with the looped decoration, the small spandrels, and a red field; the colour combination is also similar, likewise with lot 64 in the aforementioned sale. Both of these works were ascribed to a Konya based production centre, however the offered lot also has traits akin to Bergama works, for instance one example Alexander cites himself, formerly in the Tomb of Alaadin Keykubad, Konya now in the Türk ve Islam Eserleri Müzesi, Istanbul, see Kirchheim, H., Turkish Carpets from 13th - 18th centuries, Istanbul 1996, Istanbul 1996, p. 66, pl. 43. In this example we can see a clear relationship to the ‘Holbein’ medallion and the hooked motifs in the field. Other examples are also listed see Kirchheim, ibid, pp. 51 and 52, pl. 32 & 33, the former from Seyh Baba Yusuf Mosque, Sivrihisar-Eskisehir and later also the Tomb of Alaadin Keykubad, Konya. These more Westerly designs could account for the geometric border of the offered work. Another comparable work, like lot 78 probably an early influence on the Caucasian 'Sewan' pattern, but with hooked motifs in the field and a geometric border can be seen in McMullan. J., Islamic Carpets, New York 1965, pp. 308 & 309, pl. 102.