WEST ANATOLIA, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

The field design of the present lot stems from the celebrated group of 16th century 'Large-pattern Holbein' carpets of central Anatolia of which an example on a green ground is in the Turk ve Islam Eserleri Museum, Istanbul, (inv. no: 694). The 2:1:2 design formation is characterised by the large central octagon set within a square medallion, here filled with small geometric and floral motifs. The main border of kochak designs, hooked diamonds and star shaped blossoms is strongly influenced by Turkmen designs. The comparatively large number of surviving examples of this Bergama rug group deviate very little from this design format, with just minor changes in palette and ornamentation. For a similar 19th century example but with squared medallions rather than octagons, see E. Herrmann, Seltene Orientteppiche IV, Munich, 1978, pp.78-9, pl.11.