CENTRAL ANATOLIA, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

The field design of this colourful Konya runner is conceived of an infinite pattern of interlocking, radiating hooked diamonds arranged in staggered rows. The small central motif in each of the lozenges relates to the motifs found within the borders. The staggered rows of arrowhead cruciform motifs woven in bold, block colours in both end borders and in single file in each side border of the present rug, is a common Anatolian motif known as the 'eli belinde' or 'hands on hip' which is discussed in greater detail by W. Bruggemann and H. Bohmer, Teppiche der Bauern und Nomaden in Anatolien, Hannover, 1980, pp, 60-76. While choosing to illustrate their book with this very motif on the cover, the publication includes a close comparable to the present lot, pp.134-135, pl.5.