Three West Anatolian carpet fragments, possibly Bergama

Lefevre (1976?) 

Alexander, C., A Foreshadowing of 21^st Century Art The Color and Geometry of Very Early Turkish Carpets, New York, 1993, pp. 158 - 161, ill pp. 16 (detail) & 159. Eskenazi, J.,'The Alexander Collection: Part I Weaving as Liturgy', Hali, April/May 1994, issue 74, p. 84, fig. 4.

The brown cotton backing 261 by 168cm. The colours in the printed catalogue a bit hot - reds are a lovely deep coral and wine red. Glorious colour, very dirty. Three fragments as noted. Pile varies from 3mm down to foundation with browns oxidised. First hand inspection advised, further images can be requested from the department and also a diagram outlining condition which corresponds to the below - 1) Browns heavily oxidised as seen in image, with hols and harp-stringing. 2) Pile generally in very good condition, dense lustrous wool, approx. 3mm. 3) The warps in the lower right corner are a natural white wool. Department contact Harry Grenfell - harry.grenfell@sothebys.com +44 (0)20 7293 5556
"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 three fragments would have formed a highly unusual and very striking carpet or large rug. The extant sections exhibit a magnificent array of oranges, blues, greens, yellows, reds, whites, pinks and purples. This luminous colouring might suggest Bergama as a weaving centre when compared with other examples exhibiting such a palette. For example the ‘Holbein’ medallion rug in the TIEM, Istanbul, or that depicted in The Mass of St. Giles, Master of St. Giles, the National Gallery, London, both depicted Kirchheim, H., Turkish Carpets from 13th - 18th centuries, Istanbul 1996, Istanbul 1996, pp. 50 – 51, pl 32.  However on further consideration the design could draw inspiration from a wide array of other Anatolian weaving centres. The medallion bears similarities to ‘Holbein’ medallions and other West Anatolian works, within the remains of the white star motif, see Kirchheim, ibid, p. 42 and 137 in the Vakiflar Carpet Museum, Istanbul – which also displays the triangular lappets, probably inspired from Ottoman velvet cushion designs, in the ‘elem’ at each end. It also has a clear correlation to those seen in the more easterly 'Star' Oushaks, an example of which can be seen in this sale and was also formerly in the Alexander collection, see lot 38. However the border is an anomaly, it again has elements which would indicate an inspiration from the ‘Holbein’ works but as an abstracted variant; however the closest comparison can be found within this Collection and is again from a more Easterly source, see lot 68. Within this example again there is a central star shaped medallion with an altogether different colour palette and completely different guard and field design. Excluding the star shaped flowerheads in the field of that Konya, the border appears to have more of a bearing on the offered lot than other examples found; again they share the lappets at each end. A final oddity are the star shaped flowerhead motifs which are again seen on another Alexander piece, see lot 49, and also in a similar green.

The present lot is extremely unusual and interesting and would suggest influences spanning from the Sivas region to far Westerly Anatolia.