A "Transylvanian" prayer rug, West Anatolia

Burton Y. Berry, Out of the Past: The Istanbul Grand Bazaar, New York, 1977, p. 82

Pile ranges from 1/8th of an inch to low to knotheads in areas of foldwear and oxidation. Scattered reweaves most visible in field. Largest reweave approximately 1 1/2in. by 4in. in lower end of field and into inner guard border. Scattered repiling. Repiling and reweaves generally faded. A penny-sized moth damage hole in center of rug, exposing foundation, some further old moth damage. Oxidized dark browns visible foundation now with repiling. Scattered spot stains and surface dirt. Upper end and lower end guard stripes and guard borders rewoven. Side guard stripes and parts of guard borders rewoven. Both ends with cloth bands sewn on reverse. Upper end with hanging rings on reverse. Supple handle; sound fabric and condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Similar to other "Transylvanian" rugs in this sale (lots 25 and 28), the present lot displays the classic attributes of "Transylvanian" weavings: rich glowing color, articulated floral ornamentation and a singularly well developed sense of space. A "Transylvanian" prayer rug with an almost identical palmette, lobed blossom and serrated leaf-filled border was sold Sotheby's New York, June 2, 2010, lot 36. Similar examples with comparable borders and stepped prayer arches include Ferenc Batári, Ottoman Turkish Carpets, Budapest-Keszthely, 1994, nos. 81 and 82, pp. 170-171. Further examples can be found in the Black Church, Braşov, Romania, see Stefano Ionoescu, Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, cat. nos. 161, 164 and 165, pp. 146 and 148, respectively. Although the above examples are very similar in design, their color palette is much less brilliant. They all have the more common pale fields, as opposed to the present lot's more rare madder red field, as in The Rothschild-Carlowitz prayer rug, see Hali, issue 39, p. 43 and George Butterweck, et. al., Antike Anatolische Teppich, Vienna, 1983, pl. 9, pp. 68-69.