A Konya coupled-column prayer rug, Central Anatolia,

Sotheby's New York, 22 September 1993, lot 86

Pile ranges from areas in border with near original 1/6 of an inch with browns low to knot heads and foundation and with areas of wear throughout low to knot heads with repiling and Kashmir repiling, particularly at lower end and in center of rug. A 10in. by 5in. reweave in brown arch. A smaller, 3in. by 2in., reweave in left side of arch. Partial end borders. Right side with rewoven brown and ivory guard stripes. Left side partially rewoven brown and ivory guard stripes. Very flexible handle, good rich color.
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.

A coupled-column prayer rug in the Vakiflar Museum, Istanbul, no. E-17, shares its series of arches and yellow border of stylized cartouches with the lot offered here, see Balpinar, Belkis and Udo Hirsch, Carpets of the Vakiflar Museum Istanbul, Wesel, 1988, pl. 70.  This cartouche border is a version of that found on earlier 'Transylvanian' rugs such as lot 14 in this catalogue.  In comparison to the Vakiflar rug, the present lot features more decorative motifs and shorter columns suggesting that it was woven at a later date.  The overall design format and proportion of columns found here is shared with lot 55 in this catalogue. The pile end borders of this rug are an unusual feature amongst similar rugs, with their highly stylized motifs recalling the lampet ends on smaller yastiks, or cushion covers.