WEST ANATOLIA, FIRST HALF 17TH CENTURY

This type of Transylvanian prayer rug has at times been attributed to Ladik, presumably on the basis of the panel of tulips which appears above the triple mihrab on some examples (Ferenc Batari, Ottoman Turkish Carpets, Budapest, 1994, nos.66-71, pp.60-62, ill. pp.155-160). Most scholars however think that the present design was brought by weavers to Central Anatolia with the earlier examples being made further west (J. Bailey, "Ladik Prayer Rugs"', Hali, no.28, October-December, 1995, p.25).
The development of the design of this group was the subject of an article by May Beattie ("Coupled-column Prayer Rugs", Oriental Art, New Series, vol.XIV, no.4, Winter 1968, pp.243-258). She traces the derivation of the design back to the great 16th century court rugs such as the Ballard Prayer Rug in the Metropolitan Museum (M.S. Dimand and Jean Mailey, Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, 1973, no.105, p.233, ill. pp.158-159).