EYGPT, CIRCA 1600

The large central floral medallion and rosette vinery border of this carpet reflect Sultan Selim's imposition of Ottoman stylistic principles on Egyptian carpets after he conquered Cairo in 1517. At that point, Turkish design elements including spring flowers, palmettes, and leafy floral vinery in allover and medallion compositions replace the geomtric formalism of Mamluk carpets previously in production in Cairo. This Ottoman-style Cairene carpet is interesting in that it retains the blue-red-green Mamluk color palette, which later gave way to a more Turkish palette incorporating ivory, tan, and yellow. For a similar example, see Khnel-Bellinger, Cairene Rugs and Others Technically Related, The Textile Museum, Washington, D.C., 1957, R.7.20.