A Melas rug, Southwest Anatolia

Measurements 113cm wide across the top, 115cm. across the bottom, 156cm long left side, 154cm long right side. Pile is very good overall, even, closely sheared, approx. 3-4mm. Very slight oxidisation of blacks, original side cords, with minor nicks (marked) and end kilim. Ends reinforced with stitched tape. Old repaired split (approx. 6cm long) between side cords and guard stripe on left hand side, another (approx. 4cm. long) slightly further up, barely visible. Three small reweaves.Would definitely benefit from a clean. Wonderful colours used. Specialist Comment: This is such a gorgeous rug. The colour combinations are fantastic. It is a really joyous piece.
"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."

For comprehensive discussion of the designs of the Melas rugs, from the ‘Traditional’ (including designs of the Classical mihrab and the Bergama box motifs) into the ‘Baroque’ style (with highly original design, with ribbons, stepped niches, trees, serrated leaves and flower-heads, botehs, boxes with different dimensions and use of columns) see Bensoussan, Pamela, Melas Rugs from Asia Minor, Hali, Vol. 5, No.2, 1982 (1839-1861), pp.120-124. The ‘Baroque’ (Medjidish group), so called as belongs to the period of Sultan Abdul Mecid, and it was a period in which European influences were visible in the designs, and changes visible to the shape of the mihrab  and the conventional border delineation.

The offered rug is a combination ‘pastiche’ of these two groups, as it has the vestiges of the mihrab surmounted with a dominant motif, within the narrow central field, and has the individual motifs of the later group, with the stylised cypress tree motif which are on three sides of the central field.

For an interesting example of the inspirational design of the early 17^th century Transylvanian group, with a similar floral stem motif at the top of the main field, see a Transylvanian prayer rug, about 1700 (163 by 118cm), illustrated in Spühler, Friedrich, König, Hans, Volkmann, Martin, Alte Orientteppiche, Meisterstücke aus deutscher Privatsammlungen – Old Eastern Carpets, Masterpieces in German Private Collections, Munich, 1978, No.14, pp.56-57.

For two comparable examples from the ‘Traditional Group’ with the mihrab with dominant motif above, in a narrow central main field in proportion to the wide border widths, see Bensoussan, Pamela, Hali, opcit. pl. I, & fig.2, pp.121-122, albeit both with a red mihrab ­against an ivory field. For an example from the 'Baroque Group', described as Giordes, 1800 (130 by 212cm), which is highly stylised with overall propensity of the small tree motif, as the border surround and spaced to form the surround of the main medallion, against a yellow ground, see Herrmann, Eberhart Asiatische Teppich-und Textilkunst, Munich, 1990, Vol. 2, No.11, pp.30-31.

For three comparable examples from the `Pastiche Group', with similarities to the offered piece, see a Melas rug, Western Anatolia, (169 by 109cm) with stepped niche and feathered boteh see Volkmann, Martin, Alte Orientteppiche, Ausgewählte Stücke deutscher Privatsammlungen – Old Eastern Carpets, Masterpieces in German Private Collections, Munich, 1983, Carpets from Anatolia, Werner Brüggemann, pp.43-81, No.30, pp.80-81. An example of a Melas rug, mid 19^th century (148 by 101cm), with the stylised tree around the central narrow field, and exuberant floral motif borders, see Roth, Franz, Antik Anatolische Teppiche Aus Österreichischembestiz – Antique Anatolian Carpets from Austrian Collections, Vienna, 1983, No. 23, pp.96-97. For an interesting comparable Melas rug, 19^th century (165 by 110cm), of similar compositional balance, narrow red medallion and inclusion of the classic Melas outer ivory floral narrow border, see Herrmann, Eberhart, Seltene Orientteppiche, Munich, 1984, Vol. VI, No.8, pp.46-47.