A SILK AND METAL THREAD KOUM KAPI ZAREH PENYAMIN PRAYER RUG

ISTANBUL, TURKEY, CIRCA 1920

Details

A SILK AND METAL THREAD KOUM KAPI ZAREH PENYAMIN PRAYER RUG
ISTANBUL, TURKEY, CIRCA 1920
Of classic 'Sultan's head' design, the burgundy field with fine scrolling and spiralling vine issuing palmettes and floral sprays entwined around metal-thread cloudband panels, a steel-blue inscription cartouche above, the light pistachio-green mihrab arch with flowering vine and flying birds issuing from a stylised mosque lamp, enclosed within a lemon-yellow continuous inscription band, in a broad lemon-yellow border of fine flowering vine overlaid by scrolling arabesques, the upper half with similar cartouches containing metal-thread nasta'liq inscriptions, inner pink floral meander and outer burgundy and metal-thread reciprocal trefoil stripes, a green kilim strip at each end, excellent condition
6ft.4in. x 4ft.2in. (193cm. x 127cm.)

Lot Essay

This is an excellent example of a Zareh Penyamin 'Sultan's Head' prayer rug design. It is signed with his typical angular kufic 'Zareh' at the base of the central palmette. For a similar example with a slightly different palette see Benoussan, P: 'The Master Weavers of Istanbul', HALI 26, April/May/June 1983, pp. 34-41, pl.18. An old photograph of Penyamin's Takeja workshop shows a 'Sultan's Head' rug in the hands of weavers (Keshishian, A., Miller, D: 'Kum Kapi Silk Rugs Zareh Penyamine 1890-1949', London, 1985).

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