A Konya rug, South Central Anatolia

acquired from John Phillips, San Francisco, 1981

San Francisco, M. H. de Young Museum, The Christopher Alexander Collection, November 1990 - February 1991.

Alexander, C., A Foreshadowing of 21^st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets, New York, 1993, pp. 274 - 275, ill pp. 275. Alexander. C., 'Early Turkish Rugs A New Way of Looking', Hali, April, 1991, issue 56, p. 114

Overall measurements; 157cm across the top, 173cm across the bottom, 216cm the left hand side, 211cm the right hand side. Pile generally 1mm down to knotbars. Long re-weave along central axis as visible from photograph. Several rewoven patches scattered through field and scattered re-piling within the abrashed blues. Losses to ends and sides. Overall very robust and near complete. An image outlining the larger areas of re-weave can be requested from the department, with notes which correspond to the below - 1) Vertical narrow re-weave approx. 122 by 3cm 2) Square re-weave approx. 12 by 9cm 3) rectangular re-weave approx. 9 by 6.5cm 4) Horizontal re-weave, approx 16.5 by 3cm 5) Two small cobbled repairs 6) Small re-weave, approx. 9 by 4.5cm, irregularly shaped 7) Re-piling 8) Cobbled repair approx. 4 by 2cm. 9) Cut sidecords Please contact harry.grenfell@sothebys.com for detailed condition image.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This geometric example of a Konya weave would likely have been a town production when bearing in mind its relation to ex Alexander lots 63 and 64 in Sothebys London sale, 7 November 2017. The use of lappets and as Alexander terms the ‘Goddess’ figures, Alexander op cit, p. 274, at each end are noticeable; as is the use of a central octagonal motif, although in this case it is centred by a star medallion. The same lappets and iconic Konya blue ground are also seen within an example in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, acc. No. 1974.149.41 and depicted in McMullan. J., Islamic Carpets, New York, 1965, pp. 340 & 341, pl. 118. Interestingly the border design seems to have the most in common with the three fragments within this collection, see lot 36. This example is one of the most striking designs within the group through the linear and geometric design, uncommon to find in the Alexander Collection.