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Lot Essay
The knot count measures approximately 14V x 12H per cm. sq.
The 'Koum Kapi' group of silk rugs were woven in Istanbul by Armenian weavers who settled in the area within the city walls of the same name, which translates as 'Sand Gate'. Following the efforts of two Armenians, Zara Agha and Apraham Agha at the very end of the 19th century, the first looms of what was to become the 'Koum Kapi' school were set up in Istanbul. Today, we consider the two great master weavers, who were near contemporaries, to be Hagop Kapoudjian (d.1946) and Zareh Penyamin (1890-1949). Relatively little is known about these men, originally from Kayseri, who later inspired other weavers such as Toussounian. Zareh, originally a cartoonist for the Ottoman court, was arguably the more accomplished weaver and went to exceptional lengths to study not only the designs but also the techniques of previous masters. He set himself apart from others with his exacting standards and innovative techniques and apparently unravelled old pieces in order to study their structure (P. Benoussan, 'The Master Weavers of Istanbul', HALI 26, April/May/June 1983, p.36). The technical ability of these weavers and the fine quality of their materials, mainly silk and metal-thread, resulted in a long tradition of excellence (George Farrow with Leonard Harrow, Hagop Kapoudjian, London, 1993, p.11). The 16th century Safavid Persian carpets, manuscripts and mosque decorations that could be seen in the treasuries and mosques of the old city served as design inspiration for both weavers (P. Bensoussan, op.cit, p.34). The design of counterposed palmettes on the present rug is taken almost directly from Isfahan carpets of the 16th century, examples of which would most certainly have been found in the Imperial Treasury at the Topkapi Palace.
The present rug is signed with the typical angular kufic 'Zareh' at the base of the larger palmette at one end of the field and in two further, smaller, palmettes within the field along the central vertical axis. A rug of similarly small proportions, displaying an overall 'Shah Abbas' design by Zareh, sold in these Rooms, 7 October 2014, lot 110.
The 'Koum Kapi' group of silk rugs were woven in Istanbul by Armenian weavers who settled in the area within the city walls of the same name, which translates as 'Sand Gate'. Following the efforts of two Armenians, Zara Agha and Apraham Agha at the very end of the 19th century, the first looms of what was to become the 'Koum Kapi' school were set up in Istanbul. Today, we consider the two great master weavers, who were near contemporaries, to be Hagop Kapoudjian (d.1946) and Zareh Penyamin (1890-1949). Relatively little is known about these men, originally from Kayseri, who later inspired other weavers such as Toussounian. Zareh, originally a cartoonist for the Ottoman court, was arguably the more accomplished weaver and went to exceptional lengths to study not only the designs but also the techniques of previous masters. He set himself apart from others with his exacting standards and innovative techniques and apparently unravelled old pieces in order to study their structure (P. Benoussan, 'The Master Weavers of Istanbul', HALI 26, April/May/June 1983, p.36). The technical ability of these weavers and the fine quality of their materials, mainly silk and metal-thread, resulted in a long tradition of excellence (George Farrow with Leonard Harrow, Hagop Kapoudjian, London, 1993, p.11). The 16th century Safavid Persian carpets, manuscripts and mosque decorations that could be seen in the treasuries and mosques of the old city served as design inspiration for both weavers (P. Bensoussan, op.cit, p.34). The design of counterposed palmettes on the present rug is taken almost directly from Isfahan carpets of the 16th century, examples of which would most certainly have been found in the Imperial Treasury at the Topkapi Palace.
The present rug is signed with the typical angular kufic 'Zareh' at the base of the larger palmette at one end of the field and in two further, smaller, palmettes within the field along the central vertical axis. A rug of similarly small proportions, displaying an overall 'Shah Abbas' design by Zareh, sold in these Rooms, 7 October 2014, lot 110.