Early 18th Century Cappadocia Rug

Period: 18th Century
Origin: Cappadocia, Anatolia
Dimensions: 120 x 220 cm

Provenance: RASA, Cambridge, Massachusetts, December 1991.
Literature: Hali 128. “Heart and Soul: The Yellow Ground Rugs of Konya.” Hali Publications Ltd: London, 2003, p. 92, no. 4.
Notes: The diverse array of motifs and decorative devices used within the “yellow ground” group is attested to by this (so far) unique 18th century rug. The shield-like figures with humanoid characteristics – head, arms and legs and (possibly) epaulettes on the shoulders have a still-unidentified heraldic significance, and the scattered minor field motifs in the form of the Armenian letter “A” may indicate an Armenian connection. The archaic border contains diagonally-bisected polychrome hooked motifs. Similar borders may be seen on a 17th century Bergama rug (Yetkin Historical Turkish Carpets pl. 26); on a 15th century Beysehir rug (Balpinar & Hirsch Vakiflar Carpets pl. 64). These elements are also, though rarely, used as field motifs (Erdmann 700 Years of Oriental Carpets fig. 157). I have seen nothing even remotely similar to this rug, either in person or in literature, in some 37 years of collecting. While the pattern is repetitive, the juxtaposition of colors and the artful placement of various minor motifs achieve a sustainment of interest.

Stock No : 2851
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