WEST ANATOLIA, EARLY 18TH CENTURY

This rug is one of a well-known group of rugs, attributed to Ghiordes, which follow directly on in the same tradition as the Transylvanian prayer rugs. The wefts are however red, a feature that is found in a number of Ghiordes prayer rugs of this design, often with denser versions of the design, that have become known as "Basra" Ghiordes prayer rugs (for an example sold in these Rooms see Battilossi Tappeti d'antiquariato, 11 February, 1998, lot 72). Other rugs similar to the present example are in the Bruckenthal Museum, Sibiu (Stefano Ionescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, cat.216, p.170), in the Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna (Angela Völker, Die Orientalischen Knüpfteppiche der MAK, Vienna, 2001, no.37, p.128), amongst a number of others. Another example is offered as lot 56 in this sale. From the entire group however the present example stands out for being very well drawn with excellent strong colours, and in spectacular condition.