Two runner fragments, Konya/Karapinar, South Central Anatolia

both sections joined prior to purchase.

acquired from The Textile Gallery, London, 1980

Alexander, C., A Foreshadowing of 21^st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets, New York, 1993, pp. 142 - 145, ill pp. 23, 142, 143 (details) & 143. Alexander. C., 'Early Turkish Rugs A New Way of Looking', Hali, April, 1991, issue 56, p. 116

Overall measurements 89cm across the top, 91cm across the bottom, 153cm the left hand side, 153cm the right hand side. The colour in the printed catalogue is a little hot, red is an intense more ruby red and greens more forest green. Pile 2mm generally with oxidisation to browns. Some localised wear in the centre. Cut and rejoined across centre, medallion possibly reduced in scale. There is a large patch in centre, possible from the same rug, visible in photo. Depressed warps. A marked image can be requested from the department with corresponding notes - 1) A small replaced section, possibly from the same work, measuring approximately 4.5 by 3cm. 2) Areas of wear/loss, which are visible from the catalogue photograph. 3) A larger replaced section, previously mentioned, approx. 14 by 11cm at longest and widest points, possibly from the same work. 4) Horizontal join across rug, previously mentioned. 5) A Small replaced section, probably from the same work, approx. 7.5 by 7cm. 6) Small re-piling to dark browns/blacks and blue over worn area in centre. 7) Small replaced section, probably from the same work, approx. 11 by 6.5cm. With 'Kashmiri' over-stitching to join. Please note points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7 are visible from the online image. Department contact Harry Grenfell - harry.grenfell@sothebys.com, +44 (0)20 7293 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."

‘Of the carpets in the collection, this might be called the masterpiece of color.’ Alexander, op cit, p. 142. This is a bold statement when considering the fabulous wealth and range of colour which embodies this collection. Yet Alexander’s observations on design and colouring are astute and in this example one can see a richness in palette which is rarely encountered. As with lot 33 Alexander ascribes the origin of these fragments to Karapinar and as with lot 33 there are certainly plausible attributes, for example the weave and design elements – see lot 33 for further discussion. However, in the present rug some criteria within the design  may also suggest a more westerly influence. These are most notably the designs within the spandrels, the curvilinear niches, the abstracted vertical motifs within the field and the altered medallion which all share semblances to courtly weaves such as small medallion Oushaks, for an example see Sotheby’s London, 7 November 2017, lot 52; some comparisons can also be drawn to the so called 'Berlin Prayer Rug', Oushak, Museum of Islamic Arts, Berlin, Kirchheim, H., Turkish Carpets from 13th - 18th centuries, Istanbul 1996, Istanbul 1996, p210, plate 150.  However the minor naive village motifs would seemingly discredit a commercial production centre such as Oushak.  Interestingly a variation of the small blue motifs which look like fish in the offered lot, also appear in lot 38 the ex-Alexander Star Oushak.  Yet if we return to the colour that which is most comparable to this piece is lot 33. It is perhaps possible these runner fragments were woven slightly further West than lot lot 33 but probably only marginally so.