An Ottoman silk embroidered quilt cover (yorgan yüzü), Ottoman Empire,

Sotheby's London, European and Oriental Rugs, Carpets, and Textiles, 21 October 1992, lot 11

Comprised of four panels sewn together. Mounted. Very fine gauze ground with silk embroidery. Most dark browns oxidized away, some outlines with later crude restitched dark brown. 2 inch tear in upper border. Small scattered spot stains - not serious. Some original pen line designs visible on ground. Silk backing sewn on cotton flannel lining to reverse. Very 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.

Heavily embroidered quilt covers were the pride of Ottoman households between the sixteenth and the nineteenth centuries. Such quilt covers were used to dress and adorn the heap of mattresses and pillows that were used in Turkish homes as beds at night, and which were disassembled during the day. Because of their domestic connotations and nature, quilt covers formed an essential part of dowries. The most common individual motifs used to decorate these covers were leaves, tulips, carnations, and tile patterns. As lot 53 in this sale illustrates, artichoke heads and leaves were also very popular with the makers of the quilts. The embroidered decoration, possibly to enhance the feminine nature of the Yorgan Yüzü, was always naturalistic, delicate, and flowing. The lot offered here exhibits a compact blue diaper lattice pattern with red chalice medallions. The lattice itself is composed of S-shaped waves, and is joined by serrated agraffes. Like the majority of quilt covers, the present lot is further decorated with tulips and carnations that here are arranged in the chalice medallions. For further discussion on quilt covers, see Erber, Christian, A Wealth of Silk and Velvet, Bremen, 1993; and "Quilt Facings and Mirror Covers," Hali, Issue 51, pp. 118-125.