WEST ANATOLIA, LATE 17TH/EARLY 18TH CENTURY

This rug is one of a well-known group of rugs, attributed to Ghiordes, which follow directly on in the same tradition as the 'Transylvanian' prayer rugs. However, the wefts are red, a feature that is found in a number of Ghiordes prayer rugs of this design, often with denser versions of the design. These have become known as "Basra" Ghiordes prayer rugs, as this type found its best customers frequently in the Arab port city. Other rugs similar to the present example are in the Bruckenthal Museum, Sibiu (Stefano Ionescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, cat.216, p.170), in the Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Vienna (Angela Völker, Die Orientalischen Knüpfteppiche der MAK, Vienna, 2001, no.37, p.128), amongst a number of others. For 17th century prototypes, see Emese Pasztor (ed.), 'Transylvanian' Turkish Rugs, Budapest, 2020, cats. 181, 183, 187, 208. For examples sold in these Rooms, see Rugs and Carpets: Battilossi Tappeti d'antiquariato, 11 February 1998, lot 72; 9 October 2006, lot 50, and 4 October 2011, lot 49.