The Sion Lotto Rug, West Anatolia, late 16th or early 17th century, 1.08 X
1.36m (3'7" x 4'6"). Cathedral of St. Catherine, Sion, Switzerland
Numerous small rugs were woven in and around the Ushak region of Anatolia
from the 15th century onwards. One of the commonest designs was the
arabesque pattern, usually known in the rug literature as the 'Lotto'
design, after the painter Lorenzo Lotto, one of several famous artists who
depicted rugs of this type. Indeed, more than 80 examples have been
identified in Western paintings from the early 16th to the late 17th
centuries.
Many of these rugs were exported to Europe, particularly
the Netherlands, by overland routes through Romania. Numerous examples
also remained in Eastern Europe, where we have seen many similar rugs in
Transylvanian churches. By the early 17th century this pattern must have
been made in great numbers and varying qualities. The Sion rug is woven
with a rather simple and schematic design. After completing tivo-thirds of
the rug (weaving from the lower end upwards), the design shows thai the
field pattern has become rather confused. It was quite normal to finish
the side border design where the field ended, but the weaver even forgot
the yellow line at the end of the field. If it were not for its typically
beautiful wools and rich colouring, this rug must be considered of limited
artistic merit.
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