A 'Transylvanian' rug, West Anatolia

123cm across the top, 126cm across the bottom, 170cm from the left, 170cm from right. At some point the rug has been cut in each of the four corners of the border along the brown line running horizontally of the outside edge of the inner guardstripe (from the corner of the guardstripe to the edge of the border in each case) Possibly at some stage the rug was mitred to fit over a table or a piece of furniture. These cuts have been rejoined, with no apparent losses. The pile is evenly low down to knotbars, with scattered re-piling throughout field and borders. Sidecords replaced, some small splits. Repairs to outermost ends. Trimmed warp fringes now secured.
"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."

These rugs gained their name due to their popularity in Transylvania and were status symbols, often presented as votive gifts. The single or double niche, cartouche bordered, rugs - later prayer and columned rugs - are now largely found within the Transylvanian church collections, see fig 1 of the interior of the Black Church, in Brașov, which boasts the largest collection of ‘Transylvanian’ rugs worldwide.

The advent of the so called 'double-niche Transylvanian rug' remains under some speculation, however Stefano Ionescu - one of the foremost experts on the subject - strongly believes there is historical significance in their creation. Mr Ionescu posits the reason for the mirrored image stems from an edict passed under the rule of Sultan Ahmed I (1590 - 1617); the 16th century saw a boom in tradeable goods to the West of the Ottoman Empire, prompting a prohibition of the representation of the mihrab or prayer arch on any work which might be exported to a non-Muslim country. The earlier 'single-niche' design is therefore likely to have been modified to a double to accommodate this ruling. See Boralevi, A., Ionescu, S., Kertesz, A.,  Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, p. 60 for further information.

Two examples of similar double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs are published in Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, cat. nos 97 and 98, p. 122, op cit, again in the collection of the Black Church. Cat. no. 97 is most similar in use of colouring to the offered lot, especially in the ivory border cartouches, although differs slightly in the symmetric design within the cartouches. The inner and outer borders are also very similar, as is the design composition within the saffron niches and madder field. Cat no. 98 however shares the asymmetric cartouche design to the offered lot. 

Sotheby's is grateful to Stefano Ionescu for his assistance with this catalogue entry.