AN OTTOMAN EMBROIDERED PANEL, TURKEY, 17TH/18TH CENTURY |

embroidered in red, green, light blue, mauve, cream on yellow ground, the pattern with regular repetitions of the main design of scrolling vertical trail lattice, with detailed and individual floral elements within the medallions, further foliate motifs and trails within the lattice, mounted on later stretcher

Yellow satin ground with some abrasions throughout and some scattered areas of surface darning. Slight colour run from black into the yellow ground. Old repaired fold line across the centre (horizontal across centre of catalogue photograph). Design is intergrated. There are minor repairs and additional couching in design. Good quality embroidery, couched and laid stitch silk embroidery. Later mounted onto burgundy textile with Velcro on a wooden stretcher, as viewed.
"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."

The 'ogival medallion' was one of the best known patterns for Turkish fabrics, variously interpreted in different technical methods. The woven kehma textiles are among the most striking examples of sixteenth century Ottoman textiles with this ogival medallion design, having been influenced by the fifteenth century Mamluk silk designs. The distinctive design template was used by other craftsmen for embroideries, tile panels, painted decoration and metalwork, and the resulting sixteenth century pieces were influential throughout the empire and beyond. 

For a comprehensive discussion and examples of ogival medallion designs, from sixteenth century fragments in museum collections, see Nevber Gürsu, The Art of Turkish Weaving, Designs through the Ages, Istanbul, 1988, Chp.V. The sixteenth century, pp.45-108, 'The ogival medallion pattern', pp.67-93, figs.48-51, 53-60, pp.75-77.

For further discussion of Ottoman fabrics and examples of Ottoman embroideries interpreting the ogival medallion designs, see C. Erber, A Wealth of Silk and Velvet, Bremen, 1993, The Embroidery, pp.25-33, figs, pp.194-279. For a general overview see R. Taylor, Ottoman Embroidery, London, 1993, pp.106-9.