Anatolian Kilim, possibly 18th century
While Turkish pile rugs have
been prized for centuries, only in the past two decades have the flatwoven
kilims of Anatolia begun to attract the attention they deserve. In addition
to their clear, bold colors and powerful graphics, they are of interest
because their design vocabulary, which remained relatively untouched by
outside market influences until well into the 20th century, may furnish a
bridge to the region's ancient folk design traditions. The main design
elements of this outstanding kilim - the bold hexagons on the brown field,
and the complex hooked figures on ivory - are rarely seen in other kilims 1
and almost never appear together. The current academic debate over the
meaning of these designs is energetic, with no satisfactory resolution in
sight.2
The age of this piece is uncertain, but its graphic power,
array of intense colors, and absence of side borders all suggest that it
dates to a pre-19th-century period. Even its source within Turkey is
unclear; it may be Konya or Aydin.
1. For examples see Martin
Volkmann, Old Eastern Carpets: Masterpieces in German Private Collections,
Munich, Verlag Georg D.W. Callwey, 1985, no. 42; Belkis Balpmar, and Udo
Hirsch, Flatweaves of the Vakiflar Museum Istanbul, Wesel, Verlag Uta
Hiilsey, 1982, pi. 26; Bertram Frauenknecht, Early Turkish Tapestries,
Nuremberg, Verlag B. Frauenknecht, 1984, pl. 6; and Lefevre & Partners,
Catalogue, London, May 25, 1984, lot 24.
2. James Mellaart, Udo
Hirsch, and Belkis Balpinar, The Goddess from Anatolia, Milan, Eskenazi,
1989, and Oriental Rug Review, 10, no. 6 (Aug./Sept. 1990), pp. 18-43, and
11, no. 2 (Dec./Jan. 1991), pp. 31-39.
Structural Analysis SIZE:
127 1/2 x 74 3/4 in. (323.9 x 189.9 cm.) WARP: wool, Z2S; brown, ivory
WEFT: wool, Z2S and z; ivory, dark brown, medium-dark brown, brown,
red-brown, red, light orange-red, gold, yellow, yellow-green, light green,
light blue-green, blue, blue-gray, purple, light purple ENDS: off-set
knotted warp fringe, mostly missing SIDES: selvedge of 2 cords of 2 warps
each
Source:
http://www.ne-rugsociety.org/collectors-eye-images/catalogue-11.jpg
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