WEST ANATOLIA, MID 17TH CENTURY

The so-called Transylvanian rugs are probably the most representative group of Turkish rugs which have survived in Transylvania. They cover a period from the early 17th to the first half of the 18th Century. Ionescu differs between four different designs, the largest of which composed by the double-niche rugs. Red is the dominant colour and was used in many different tones.(Stefano Ionescu: Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome 2006, p.58). The design is always symmetrical along the vertical axis although one will always find a minute 'asymmetrical' detail in each rug. The border with cartouches containing a flowerhead and very finely drawn leafy and flowery tendrils is an indicator to date the piece into the mid 17th Century (op.cit., p.62) as is the clear well spaced field design with the reduced number of floral motifs. A similar example to our rug sold with Sotheby's London, 28 April 1992, lot 6.