General Classification: Turkish Rugs

JBOC Comments: See DECORATIVE CARPETS GO WEST by Alberto Levi Auction Report, 28 January 2000 for a mention of this rug.

Description:

FINE ORIENTAL AND EUROPEAN RUGS AND CARPETS
SALE L09327 LOT 19
SESSION 1 | 12 Oct 99 2:00 PM.
London, New Bond Street
A Kum Kapi silk and brocaded gilt and silver metal thread rug
45,000—55,000 GBP
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 58,700 GBP
DESCRIPTION
A Kum Kapi silk and brocaded gilt and silver metal thread rug
Istanbul, Turkey
of Safavid Polonaise design
197 by 113cm., 6ft. 6in. by 3ft. 9in.
Knotting V/H cm: 11/10
Extremely fine silk rugs with metal thread brocading were produced in Kum Kapi, the Armenian Quarter of Istanbul, towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century. The weavers here were Turkish Armenians who came from the weaving centres of Keyseri and Sivas. Technically advanced in the art of weaving , they produced rugs of superlative technical quality; their inspiration based on the Ottoman court style, and on classical 16th century rugs from Safavid Persia, as illustrated in this example. Many such pieces bear the signature of the Masterweavers, of which Zareh Penyamian, and Hagop Kapoudjian are the most well known. For a full discussion of the Kum Kapi masters, see Farrow, George F., Hagop Kapoudjian, London, 1993. This offered lot displays magnificent artistry in the use of gold and silver metal thread, which, combined with finely knotted silks in pastel shades create a technically excellent and visually harmonic tour de force. The rug is further enhanced by being presented in immaculate condition.

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