Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets

Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 106. An Ottoman voided silk velvet and metal-thread (çatma) panel, Turkey, Bursa or Istanbul, first half 17th century.

An Ottoman voided silk velvet and metal-thread (çatma) panel, Turkey, Bursa or Istanbul, first half 17th century

Auction Closed

March 31, 12:40 PM GMT

Estimate

40,000 - 60,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

cut crimson velvet on a silk warp-faced cream ground with stacked rows of eight-lobed blossoms emanating further foliate details, with metal-thread highlights in central flowerheads, the border with en-suite motifs and enlarged tulips, backed on cloth with metal suspension rail


158 by 130cm.

Previously in the collection of William R. (1915-2007) and Elinor (1920-2020) Appleby, London and New York 


The Applebys enthusiasm for collecting art, which they mainly acquired through auctions whilst living in both London and New York, is testified through their continuous and generous support to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, notably the Asian Art department. Their taste was eclectic, and it is interesting to compare a British Valance tapestry which they gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art that is attributed to the same period as the present Ottoman velvet which came from their Upper East Side home (inv. no. 1991.316)

This design stands out for its geometric symmetry and the almost abstract quality of the plants depicted. It is closely comparable to a half cover attributed to circa 1650 in the L.A. County Museum of Art (inv. no.M.73.5.686). It is illustrated in J. Raby, A. Effeny (eds.), Ipek, The Crescent and the Rose, Imperial Ottoman Silks and Velvets, pp.318-9, fig.349, where it is described as a design of "stacked eight-lobed medallions", apparently comprising the largest group of velvets woven in Bursa during this period (ibid). Although these designs may seem very similar at first, one can often find the differences in the smaller motifs depicted in between this overall design. It is particularly rare to find an example in such good condition.