First half 19th century, 184 x 156 cm, North West Turkey, Dardanelles region

The red field is dominated by two huge white octagons which each contain a dark blue, eight-pointed star device. This distinctive design goes back to far older models. Carpets featuring similar devices were depicted in panel paintings and book illuminations by European artists as early as the 15th century. An almost identical example from the McMullan Collection is now in the New York Metropolitan Museum; another one is illustrated on the jacket of the Danker Collection catalogue. – Signs of age and wear, various stitched areas, very low spots in the pile. Remnants of the original red kilims survive at both ends. The sides have been cut and secured.

McMULLAN, JOSEPH V., Islamic Carpets. New York 1965, no. 103 *** NASSAUISCHER KUNSTVEREIN (publ.), Meisterstücke orientalischer Knüpfkunst. Sammlung Anton Danker. Wiesbaden 1966, no. 4