late 19th century, 188 x 150 cm, North West Anatolia, Dardanelles region

This red-ground rug features a double niche design and a diamond-shaped central medallion with an outline surrounded by white hooks. It was woven in the town of Manyas situated between Panderma and Balikesir in the Dardanelles. One typical feature of the provenance is the winged designs resembling butterflies in the red main border, which is flanked by two yellow secondary borders. A wide white border of cartouches and hook forms constitutes the outer finish. – Slight signs of age and wear, somewhat low spots in the pile, the original selvedges and lower kilim finish survive.