SOUTH WEST ANATOLIA, CIRCA 1870

This finely woven Ada Melas (Milas) rug is a richly-coloured example of the flourishing cottage industry of weaving in the town of Melas, an ancient city in the Muğla province of southwestern Anatolia, renowned for its role as a collecting point for rugs produced in the surrounding villages. These rugs, particularly prayer rugs, were admired for their intricate designs and vibrant colours and were exported throughout the Ottoman Empire.