Antique Sivrihisar Fragment

Period: Early 19th Century
Origin: Turkey
Dimensions: 65 x 135 cm

this rare, early 19th century Sivrihisar kilim fragment is an extraordinary and deeply moving testament to the archaic village weaving traditions of Central Anatolia. Hand woven using the finest hand spun, indigenous wool with a masterfully executed slit weave flatweave technique, this museum grade textile collector’s piece celebrates its beautifully weathered, historic state. The preserved section showcases an exceptionally powerful, repeating all over composition consisting of interlocking geometric medallions and highly stylized, bidirectional elibelinde (hands on hips) or ram’s horn motifs that flow seamlessly across a luminous, natural ivory cream ground.

The striking abstract design language is brought to life by a magnificent and beautifully saturated palette of pure, organic vegetable dyes. The intense interaction between the glowing madder reds, vibrant terracotta oranges, soft sage greens, deep aubergine purples, and brilliant sky blues highlights the weaver’s exceptional control over local dye pot alchemy. Along the left vertical edge, remnants of a charming, micro patterned checkerboard guard band remain intact, grounding the high contrast nomadic geometry of the central field.

Exhibiting an exceptionally rich aged patina and soft, painterly abrash variations where the colors have matured with wonderful grace over two centuries, this artifact carries a profound historical and visual authority. The combination of intense color blocks, raw structural fragmentation, and primitive, ancestral Anatolian symbolism elevates this piece from a textile into an expressive work of abstract art. It stands as a highly important, collectible example of Central Turkish heritage, bringing a monumental sense of historical depth, graphic power, and authentic tribal soul to any specialized gallery display or curated modern interior.

Stock No: 1051

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