Lot 343 A MUSEUM-QUALITY WEST ANATOLIAN KARAKECILI PRAYER RUG
Up for auction is an art-historically highly interesting masterpiece and a true rarity of Anatolian knotting art: An antique Karakecili prayer rug from West Anatolia (Bergama region / Balikesir highlands, Turkey), hand-knotted around 1800. This exceptional collector's item captivates with its powerful, archaic visual language. The madder-red inner field forms a striking, white-outlined, and highly stepped prayer niche (Mihrab) that terminates into deep blue spandrel fields at the base. The center is dominated by a diamond-shaped medallion with a geometric core. The field is richly filled with the iconic tribal motifs of the Karakeçili: Stylized trees of life, hook-laden protective amulets, and geometric star motifs fill the space in harmonious, vegetable-dyed natural tones. The venerable composition is framed by a characteristic, multi-band border in a diamond and running dog (wave) design on a deep brown ground. The rug is in a fascinating, unrestored original condition with a mature, historical aura. In accordance with its remarkable age of over 220 years, the piece features some areas of thinner pile (see detailed photos). For the most discerning collectors and museums, this early nomadic prayer rug offers a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic document of Anatolian-Turkish textile history. • Condition: Authentic, unrestored original condition with a beautiful patina; reflecting its advanced age, low/thin pile in places (museum- grade collector's condition). • Dimensions (Metric): 125 by 90 cm.