EGYPT, CIRCA 1600

When the Ottoman Turks extended their empire into Egypt in 1517, Sultan Selim imposed Ottoman stylistic principles on Egyptian carpets. As can be seen in this carpet, graceful saz leaves, naturalistic carnations, tulips, hyacinths and palmettes in allover and medallion compositions replaced the geometric formalism of Mamluk carpets previously in production in Cairo. A robust supply of these acclaimed carpets were used not only to furnish the growing number of lavish rooms in their own palaces, but also to supplement the burgeoning demand for fine carpets by the aristocracies and emerging wealthy merchant class in Europe.