A Central Anatolian rug fragment

Alexander, C., A Foreshadowing of 21^st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets, New York, 1993, pp. 248 - 249, ill. p. 249.

Overall measurements; the fragment - 102cm across the top, 111cm across the bottom, 132cm the left hand side, 125cm the right hand side. The mount 193 by 151cm. Pile varies from minor areas worn to knotbars between the two guls, to 4-5mm generally. Great colour in reality. Less harsh colour than in the photograph, where the madder is too dark, and the ivory border too startling, and is a warmer cream in reality. Small area of moth damage in he upper gul centre. Beautiful border with amazing colours, including jade green and light aubergine. Additional photographs can be requested from the department - harry.grenfell@sothebys.com
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The exact origin of this fragment remains unknown: a possible attribution could be Aksaray between Konya and Kayseri, an area now known for kilims. However this is speculative; the border and medallions suggest Central Anatolia. Alexander expounds on the movement within the border design - terming the leaves as ‘whirling’ like that of a Sufi dancer. He also compares it to another in his collection which shares similar border pattern, Alexander, op cit, p. 203.; the present lot belongs to a group of rugs which all share such design, largely on an ivory ground, and which could have derived from the ‘bird’ rugs of the 16^th and 17^th centuries. The field, which appears to be an anomaly for the group, derives from 16^th century large pattern Holbein rugs and still has remarkably vibrant colour.

A rug which shares a very similar border, and was compared closely to the present lot, sold Christie’s London, 17 December 2002, lot 100. A further example, again sharing the angular rosette and four foliate leaves within the border, was sold Nagel, sale 680, 27 March 2012. From Alexander's own perspective ‘The glowing presence of colour is what matters most’ Alexander. C., ‘A New Way of Looking’, Hali, April 1991, issue 56, p. 124. In fulfillment of this sentiment, the present lot is a truly striking example.