Lot Essay
While this group of prayer rugs is generally attributed to Ghiordes, they show marked differences in both design and particularly technique with the eighteenth century products ot this town. Two similar rugs, one formerly in the Kevorkian Collection, (sold subsequently Lefevre, J.: Turkish Carpets, London, 4 February, 1977, lot.9), the other in the Ballard Collection (Ballard, J.F.: Catalogue of Oriental Rugs in the Collection of James F. Ballard, St. Louis, 1924, no.30), are from the same group. All have similar small motifs at the base of each column and suspending the floral 'lamp'. The overall concept of design is very close to the Ottoman Court products of the sixteenth century. While the dating is not in dispute, and their origin in western Anatolia certain, the precise place of manufacture is not certain.