WEST ANATOLIA, FIRST HALF 18TH CENTURY

A large number of this type of rug has survived in present day Transylvania. The attribution was first given to rugs with a medallion such as lot 226 and later extended to include other types of designs, particularly prayer rugs (see also lots 230 and 231 in this catalogue). The large number of rugs found in churches, for instance 151 pieces dating from before the 19th Century in the Black Church in Brasov, indicates that rugs in this region were not only a symbol for wealth; they have been used as money and also were an important part of the social ritual at that time. A martial engagement for example would take place by standing on a rug which then was expected to be donated to the church (Marino and Clara Dall'Oglio, "Transylvanian Rugs - Some Considerations and Opinions", Hali, vol.1, no.3, autumn 1978, pp.276-277). The border in the present rug is of stylised Ottoman design while the columns in the field and the repeating design in the mihrab are clearly in the style found in Kula rugs such as lot 227 and 228. It is probable that this rug was woven there for export to the West.