A 'TRANSYLVANIAN' DOUBLE NICHE RUG, WEST ANATOLIA |

Nagel, Suttgart, 13 October 1990, title page, lot 250

Overall measurements: 120cm across the top, 121cm across the bottom, 157cm the left hand side, 157cm the right hand side. Colour less strident. Red less scarlet, and more attractive in reality. Pile is variable overall, and the rug has had restorations, probably at several different times, for example the dark blue in spandrels are about 50% repiling and there is some reweaving, example lower right hand spandrel (approximately 17 by 8cm). Rug with 50% overall. Large reweave in top left hand corner (approximately 18 by 18cm) of flatweave, as visible in the photograph. Dark browns entirely oxidised and partially repiled. Restoration to outer guards and restored side cords. Lazy lines are present, which are typcial of the group. Inspection recommended, to see extent of condition. Reads very well as a design overall.
"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."

These particular types of ‘Transylvanians’ were favoured by Dutch painter Matthijs Naiveu (1647–1726) and have appeared in a number of his paintings including ‘Doctor’s Visit’, executed 1700–1726, ‘Buffoons in Play in Open Air’, circa 1721 and ‘Interior with and Elegant Lady Receiving a Suitor’, circa 1695. There are two other very similar examples to the present lot. The first, perhaps not with such good pile, was formerly in the John D. McIlhenny Collection. Ellis (1988) pp. 92 & 93, pl. 31. The McIlhenny example differs in that the madder field has a floral lozenge medallion and the cartouches alternate between ivory and saffron in the ground colours. Otherwise the guards, border, spandrels and use of colours are very similar. The second comparable example forms part of the Kier collection, a black and white reproduction can be seen Spuhler (1978) pp. 57 - 58, no. 27. The Kier example too has some minor differences. The madder field is comprised of three vertical columns of palmettes and lozenges in a three, seven, three formation. The spandrel ground colour is yellow and the design varies very slightly. The border is the closest match, both with red grounds and ivory cartouche with lozenges. However the present lot has a little more exuberance and more range in colour.

Herrmann notes this is "A good example of the double niche pattern, used frequently in Transylvanian carpets, marking the doors for the minor standstills of the moon at the southern- and northernmost points in the night sky in the Taurus constellation."

Transylvanian Rugs

It perhaps should be seen as an oddity that this group of rugs, which are now agreed to have come from the weaving centre of Oushak in Western Turkey, should be given the apparent misnomer of ‘Transylvanian’. However the name has been affectionately coined because of the number of these weavings which still remain in Lutheran and Saxon Evangelical churches in modern day Romania; the largest collection is in situ in the Black Church in Brașov. However, perhaps it should not come as such a surprise that such rich collections are still to be found there.

From the mid-16^th, to late 17^th century, Transylvania was an autonomous principality of the Ottoman Empire and the rugs themselves had enormous significance both within local government and as symbols of wealth and stature; used as diplomatic gifts and important symbols within social rituals, families would even prefer to pay their taxes in cash, than to have their rug taken away.  Following trade privileges being granted by Mehmet II (1432 – 1481), in 1453, Turkish rugs were used as valuable commodities by Ottoman merchants travelling the Silk Road and were exchanged in Transylvania for expensive spices and coffee.

Within the group there are four agreed main design types, two of which are offered here. The ‘single niche’, or prayer rug, lot 66, and the ‘double niche’ - lots 32, 33, 36 & 58. Theories are inconclusive as to why the ‘double niche’ rugs came into being, but it is widely agreed that they are later in dating to the single niche and the development of the design is most likely attributable to religious beliefs or the export market. There is speculation that they were created following the edict by Sultan Ahmed I (1590 – 1617) prohibiting the representation of the mihrab, or niche, for items which were intended for non-Muslim countries, therefore the single niche was mirrored to create the double niche design. It would seem that their appearance and growth in popularity in Europe from the mid-17^th century would support this, see Boralevi. A & Ionescu. S, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, p. 60. However, there is still some discussion as to exactly when the ‘double niche’ design was born, see 'A lesson in Looking', Frances. M., Hali, Reviews, Exhibitions, Issue 175, Spring 2013, p. 118 & 119 for further discussion on the matter. Notably in this article the work under consideration bears a number of qualities very similar to lot 32 suggesting it is likely that they are of similar date; possibly even from the same workshop. Irrespective of the origin of the ‘double niche’ design, what is agreed is that the rugs were powerful trade commodities coveted by the Western world; perhaps the design simply evolved with changing tastes. Owing to a number of the ‘Transylvanian’ group being reproduced in paintings, and recorded in 17^th century inventories, we are also able to give some distinctive dating, for example Cornelius de Vos, Portrait of Abraham Grapheus, circa 1620, Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp, depicts a star and cartouche border double niche ‘Transylvanian’ similar to lot 32.

The ‘Transalvanian’ group is one that has always fascinated; they are highly sought after in the collecting community and examples are now in the permanent collections of highly prestigious museums. These include the Brukenthal National Museum, Sibiu, the Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London - amongst others. The seminal work written by Alberto Boralevi and Stefano Ionescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, is one of the foremost insights into this extraordinary phenomenon. For further information on this topic we recommend interested parties review this publication for a more comprehensive discussion. Sotheby’s is grateful to Stefano Ionescu for his assistance in the cataloguing of lots 32, 33, 36, 58 & 66.

Ellis, C., Oriental Carpets in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, London, 1988, pp. 92 & 93, pl. 31.

Spuhler, F, Islamic Carpets and Textiles in the Keir Collection, London, 1978, pp. 57 - 58, no. 27.