First half 19th century or earlier, 365 x 146 cm, Central Anatolia

Collection VOK: Anatolia 75

Woven in a village situated between Konya and Aksaray according to Hirsch, this two-panel kilim in magnificent colours and with a wealth of designs is a veritable feast for the eyes. The white ground of the field – woven from wool and cotton and thus lighter than in comparable pieces – brings out the full brilliance of the colours. The great precision of the drawing and meticulous execution of even the smallest details are testimony to the weaver’s extraordinary skill. Moreover, she has succeeded in entirely avoiding the misalignment of the design along the central axis so frequently encountered in two-panel kilims – a remarkable feat considering that the two panels were not woven simultaneously, but in succession, and that a cartoon was not used. The three large primary designs aligned along the central axis of the field represent a rare type encountered in only a very few other kilims. Most of the small filler motifs inserted between the primary and secondary ornaments are embroidered. – Very good condition.

PETSOPOULOS, YANNI, Der Kelim. Ein Handbuch. Munich 1980, nos. 150, 151 *** ENDERLEIN, VOLKMAR, Orientalische Kelims. Flachgewebe aus Anatolien, dem Iran und dem Kaukasus. Wesel 1986, pl. p. 68

VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Anatolia. Kilims and other Flatweaves from Anatolia. (Text by Udo Hirsch) Munich 1997, no. 75