A 'Transylvanian' prayer rug, West Anatolia

Sotheby's New York, 15 December 2000, lot 105

Overall measurements; 137cm across the top, 131cm across the bottom, 187cm the left hand side, 182cm the right hand side. Pile varies from 1-2mm in areas of the border to knotbars and in localised areas to foundation. There is spot -repiling and scattered repairs, for example within the ivory above the niche. There is a repair in the lower border extending into the outer guard, approx. 15 by 5cm at widest. Original flatweave mainly extant in both the upper and lower end. Quadruple banded sidecords partially rebuilt, corners rebuilt.
"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."

A very similar example to the offered lot is in the Black Church, Brașov, inv. 180, see Ionescu. S. (ed), Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, p. 148, cat. 166. What is most unusual in both examples is the 'Gothic' border, reminiscent of cathedral vaults, which is very rare among the 'Transylvanian' group; there are only five recorded examples with such a border, including the present lot. The pistachio green seen here is also unusual. In addition this example shares the 'flowering-stems' within the spandrels with the Brașov rug, although with the interesting addition of the lone red flowerhead. They also share the 'head-and-shoulder' mihrab with plain field; the offered lot differs with inclusion of the three sprigs of leaves in the camel field, the central motif probably derived from the Mosque lamp design in other classical works. This lot is woven 'upside down', commensurate with the 'Transylvanian' group. Sotheby's is grateful to Stefano Ionescu for his assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.