A West Anatolian rug, Oushak region

Bausback, Peter, Antike Orientteppiche, Braunschweig, 1978, pp. 90-91.

Pile is approximately 1/10 of an inch to low to knotheads. One approximately 3 feet by 1 inch long reweave in field. Two small 1 inch by 1 inch reweave next to each other in lower section of red field. Further smaller scattered reweaves. Some scattered repiling, most to red field, with the two largest areas being approximately 2 inches by 2 inches in upper left section. Side and end guard borders and guard stripes partially rewoven, particularly sides. Sides reselvaged with three-cord wool selvaging. Upper end with cotton sleeve sewn on reverse. Very supple handle, restored, ready for use.
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.

The yellow four-pointed medallion of this rug is a clear descendent of those found on 16th and 17th century Oushak rugs, for a few examples see Jon Thompson, Milestones in the History of Carpets, Milan 2006, pl. 9; Walter B. Denny, The Classical Tradition in Anatolian Carpets, Washington, D.C. 2002, pl. 22; and Georg Butterweck, et al, Antique Anatolian Carpets from Austrian Collections, Vienna 1983, pl. 6.  In the present rug, the village weaver has enlarged the scale of the medallion and supported it with two large rosettes at either end and smaller rosettes with amulets in the field.  To these are added green corners that include Kufesque motifs taken from even earlier carpets and these elements are shared with a rug now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, see Joseph V. McMullan, Islamic Carpets, New York, 1965, pl. 84, pp. 264-5.  In the present rug all is enclosed within a border of highly geometric motifs.  Rendered in a wide variety of vivid colors, this is a rug that illustrates the best of Turkish village work.