CENTRAL ANATOLIA, 18TH CENTURY

This rug is most unusual as it appears to be an early transitional example incorporating both Transylvanian and early Ladik elements. The spandrels are of pure Transylvanian design as are the guard stripes (see for example Stefano Ionescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, pl.169). The border is of a typical Ladik design but noticeably more open and earlier in feel than many (The Ballard Collection of Oriental Rugs, Ex. Cat., St.Louis. No.55). The flowering stems in the cross panel are greater in number than on most Ladik rugs and appear to be closer to those found on 17th century Transylvanian column rugs (Stefano Ionescu, op. cit., Cat 201, p.163). There appears to be no exactly comparable rug in any of the published literature.