WEST ANATOLIA, 17TH CENTURY

The present prayer rug is closely related to a number of rugs in the Black Church, Brasov, illustrated in Stefano Ionescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs In Transylvania, Rome, 2005, p.148, whilst the mosque lamp design relates to a rug in the Evangelical Church, Sebes (Emil Schmutzler, Altorientalische Teppiche in Siebenburgen, Leipzig, 1933, pl.34). The present example has particularly rich colours and very fine drawing. For a discussion of the origins of the 'Transylvanian' group of weavings please see lot 49.