Lot 26
  • 26

Two Şarkışla carpet fragments, East Anatolia, Sivas province

Estimate
5,500 - 7,500 GBP
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Description

  • Wool, pile
  • the larger fragment: 239 by 88cm; 7ft. 6in., 2ft.11in; the smaller fragment: 100 by 57cm; 3ft. 3in., 1ft. 10in.

Literature

Eskenazi, J.,'The Alexander Collection: Part I Weaving as Liturgy', Hali, April/May 1994, issue 74, p. 83, fig. 3.

Alexander, C., A Foreshadowing of 21st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets, New York, 1993, pp. 138 - 141, ill p. 139, p. 76 (detail).

Condition

Overall measurements; The larger fragment - 79cm across the top, 78cm across the bottom, 88cm at widest point (taken approx 1ft from the bottom), 236cm the left hand side, 214cm the right hand side, 239cm at longest point (taken approx 10cm in from left hand side). The smaller fragment - 50cm across the top, 46cm across the bottom, 57cm horizontally through the middle, 93cm the left hand side, 96cm the right hand side, 100cm vertically through the middle. The backing - 351 by 184cm. Pile variable from foundation to 3mm. Glossy wool, fantastic colour. First hand inspection advised. Velcro attached to underside for hanging. See image on Sothebys.com for overall view including all backing. An image of the weave can be requested from the department, harry.grenfell@sothebys.com, +44(0)207 293 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, in discussing these richly coloured and enigmatic fragments, op cit, p.138 suggests an origin of Şarkışla and likens the motifs to fish and dragons, drawing on Norwegian and Chinese carvings and architecture. Şarkışla weaves are known to have offset knotting and often exhibit a patterning more associated with kilims - which is true of this example.

One very similar weaving, which shares the polychrome cloudband and stylised cloudband border, is published in Spuhler. F., Die Orienteppiche im Museum für Islamische Kunst Berlin, Germany, 1987, pl. 23, dated to the 16/17th century. Another example, again with similar border design and colouring is in the Vakiflar carpet museum, Istanbul, inv. no. A-84, Turkish Carpets from the 13th- 18th centuries, 1996, p. 131, plate 94, this example dated to the late 16th century. Very few of these works appear in auction; one sold at Sotheby’s New York, 14 December 2001, lot 26, for $26,050, this example also sharing the intense yellow and red colouring.

Another very striking rug which shares near exact colouring is in the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri, see Denny. W., The Carpet and the Connoisseur The James F. Ballard Collection of Oriental Rugs, Verona, 2016, p. 157, cat. no. 37. Denny likens the Ballard example to 15th century Venetian silks which were imported to the Ottoman Empire as early as the first half of the 16th century, ibid, pp. 149 & 156. On examining some of these silks one can see comparisons, for example a 16th century Venetian silk published Geijer. A., A History of Textile Art, London, 1979, pl. 49 – b, in deep red and gold has a stem and ’pomegranate’ motif which has a close semblance to the stem and leaves above and below the half lozenge in the offered lot.