See the introductory essay for a discussion of the Ushak Medallion group. The present fragment and the fragment offered as the following lot comprise most of what was once a magnificent example of this group of carpets. The graceful, curvilinear drawing of design elements seen here indicate a fairly early dating within the group. In overall design layout, the present carpet (when viewed making visual allowance for the missing center) echoes the same scheme as seen in other early examples of the group, such as the carpet in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection (see King, Donald and Sylvester, David: The Eastern Carpet in the Western World from the 15th to the 17th Century, London, 1983, no. 41). The slightly more thickly drawn border of the present carpet most likely precludes it from being as early as pieces such as the Thyssen-Bornemisza carpet, but similarly drawn borders can be found in other carpets dated to the late sixteenth century such as a carpet sold Sotheby's New York, 17 September 1992, lot 116. In addition to the outstanding drawing and design seen in these two fragments, the carpet is remarkable for its rich, vivid coloration, especially the unusual appearance of the deep sea green seen in the central medallion surround and in the outlines of motifs in the secondary medallions.