18th century, 134 x 104 cm, West Anatolia

Collection VOK: Anatolia 4

Very finely woven in harmonious colours and with a design drawn to perfection, this rare prayer kilim was probably made in an urban workshop before 1800, possibly in the West Anatolian town of Kula whose workshops were famous during the Ottoman period. Hirsch points out the religious iconology of the field design which, in his opinion, symbolises ancient beliefs dating back to the Neolithic age (Goddess cult). Dating is facilitated by the Ottoman stylistic elements seen in the outer border design, a concession to the prevailing taste of the period. The large missing section at the lower end of the field probably results from the kilim having served as a prayer rug for a long time. – Mounted onto canvas.

VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Anatolia. Kilims and other Flatweaves from Anatolia. (Text by Udo Hirsch) Munich 1997, no. 4