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Lot Essay
The knot count is 11H x 10V per cm. sq.
As our knowledge of the weavers of Istanbul at the begining of this century continues to develop, the attribution of this master weaver remains highly important. Zareh Penyamin's exacting standards and constant supervision at all stages of the weaving and incorporation of innovative techniques set him apart from his contemporaries. He was extremely skillful and was able to interchange different combinations of the same design.
The cartoon of this design is illustrated in P. Benoussan, 'The Master Weavers of Istanbul', Hali 26, April/May/June 1983, pp. 34-41, pl.15. Not mentioned in this article, but pointed out by the owner of the cartoons, was the fact that one of them bears a signature that differs from Zareh's usual form. This is a signature that was found on a Koum Kapi rug sold in these Rooms, 26 April 1994, lot 419, that shares the same design as the present lot. George Farrow makes note of another rug which bears this signature and also the signature of the Hereke workshop, (George F. Farrow, 'Koum Kapi Masters', in Hali 46, August 1989, p.11) suggesting that Zareh began his career at the Hereke workshops and used this signature very early in his career and then changed it to the better known signature found on other Koum Kapi designs.
As our knowledge of the weavers of Istanbul at the begining of this century continues to develop, the attribution of this master weaver remains highly important. Zareh Penyamin's exacting standards and constant supervision at all stages of the weaving and incorporation of innovative techniques set him apart from his contemporaries. He was extremely skillful and was able to interchange different combinations of the same design.
The cartoon of this design is illustrated in P. Benoussan, 'The Master Weavers of Istanbul', Hali 26, April/May/June 1983, pp. 34-41, pl.15. Not mentioned in this article, but pointed out by the owner of the cartoons, was the fact that one of them bears a signature that differs from Zareh's usual form. This is a signature that was found on a Koum Kapi rug sold in these Rooms, 26 April 1994, lot 419, that shares the same design as the present lot. George Farrow makes note of another rug which bears this signature and also the signature of the Hereke workshop, (George F. Farrow, 'Koum Kapi Masters', in Hali 46, August 1989, p.11) suggesting that Zareh began his career at the Hereke workshops and used this signature very early in his career and then changed it to the better known signature found on other Koum Kapi designs.