CENTRAL ANATOLIA, 17TH CENTURY

Amongst the selection of rugs from the Alexander Collection in this sale, this rug is perhaps one of the simplest in design. The vibrancy and arrangement of colour of each individual stellar motif however creates an overall design that is one of the most memorable. An extremely similar rug of the same design but of smaller dimensions is discussed by W. Brüggeman and H. Böhmer, (Teppiche der Bauern und Nomaden in Anatolien, Hannover, 1980). The design is not as successful in that example as the small proportions prevent the radiating polychrome bands from repeating their colour formation which in turn create a structured rhythm. Another example with the same drawing of rows of minor stellar motifs has been altered purely through the application of its colour to create a very different design. Instead of radiating lozenges the coloured stars have been arranged to form diagonal rows with the darker stars forming bands of accent notes, (Leone Mesciulam, Tappeti e kilim anatolici dal 600 al 900, Genoa, pl.10).