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Lot Essay
The popularity of so-called 'Lotto' rugs in the sixteenth century continued into the following century when they were exported in great numbers to Europe after which their production appears to have ceased almost as suddenly as it commenced. Those woven in the seventeenth century tend, as here, to have much larger borders in proportion to their field size compared to the earlier examples. But while other examples of the small-scale 'Lotto' rugs show awkward cut-outs of the original field design, in this example, the weaver has struck a dynamic centralised balance. Within the three categories of 'Lotto' designs, as noted by Charles Grant Ellis, (“Anatolian”, “Ornamented”, and “Kilim”), this falls under the more angular “Kilim” style identified by the serrated profile of its motifs (C.G. Ellis, 'The 'Lotto' Pattern as a Fashion in Carpets', in A. Ohm & H. R. (eds.), Festschrift für Peter Wilhelm Meister zum 65. Geburstag am 16. Mai 1974, Hamburg, 1975, pp.19-31),“‘Lotto’ Pattern as a Fashion in Carpets,” Festschrift für Peter Wilhelm Meister zum 65. Geburstag am 16. Mai 1974, Hamburg, 1975, pp.19-31).
The two most frequently encountered border types associated with the 'kilim' field are the 'cloud band' and the 'cartouche' design, seen here. Two examples in this small group form part of the historic collection of the Black Church in Braşov, Romania (see Stefano Ionescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, cats.39-40). A “Kilim” Lotto rug with a cartouche border was offered for sale in these Rooms, The Bernheimer Family Collection, 14 February 1996, lot 87, while further examples sold in these Rooms; 16 April 2007, lot 48; 24 April 2012, lot 104; 26 April 2018, lot 259, and 27 April 2023, lot 201.
The narrow scrolling 'S' motif guard stripe on this rug is found on another example which sold at Kohn International, Etterbeek, 1 December 2017, lot 244. This particular motif is rarely found on rugs with cartouche borders but is more commonly associated with those with a ‘ragged palmette' design. The only other example hangs in the Evangelical Fortified Church Harman in Honigberg, Germany.
Both the 'Lotto' rug and the Ghiordes prayer rug, the following lot in the present sale, had, until the early 2000's, remained in the possession of the family descendants of Count Wolfgang IV of Oettingen-Wallerstein. Count Wolfgang IV was an extraordinary figure whose historic grand embassy saw him travel from Vienna down to Constantinople (Istanbul) between 1699 and 1701, meeting with Sultan Mustafa II at the Topkapı Palace. According to family repute, and one can see no reason why it should not be the case, both rugs were gifted to the Count by the Sultan at the turn of the century and remained in the family collection for over three centuries.
The two most frequently encountered border types associated with the 'kilim' field are the 'cloud band' and the 'cartouche' design, seen here. Two examples in this small group form part of the historic collection of the Black Church in Braşov, Romania (see Stefano Ionescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, cats.39-40). A “Kilim” Lotto rug with a cartouche border was offered for sale in these Rooms, The Bernheimer Family Collection, 14 February 1996, lot 87, while further examples sold in these Rooms; 16 April 2007, lot 48; 24 April 2012, lot 104; 26 April 2018, lot 259, and 27 April 2023, lot 201.
The narrow scrolling 'S' motif guard stripe on this rug is found on another example which sold at Kohn International, Etterbeek, 1 December 2017, lot 244. This particular motif is rarely found on rugs with cartouche borders but is more commonly associated with those with a ‘ragged palmette' design. The only other example hangs in the Evangelical Fortified Church Harman in Honigberg, Germany.
Both the 'Lotto' rug and the Ghiordes prayer rug, the following lot in the present sale, had, until the early 2000's, remained in the possession of the family descendants of Count Wolfgang IV of Oettingen-Wallerstein. Count Wolfgang IV was an extraordinary figure whose historic grand embassy saw him travel from Vienna down to Constantinople (Istanbul) between 1699 and 1701, meeting with Sultan Mustafa II at the Topkapı Palace. According to family repute, and one can see no reason why it should not be the case, both rugs were gifted to the Count by the Sultan at the turn of the century and remained in the family collection for over three centuries.