"Transylvanian" rug, Western Turkey, Ottoman Empire. Adil Besim Collection

c. 157 x 123 cm, symmetrical knot; V 40, H 30 = c. 1,200 kts/sqm; ivory warp, ivory/red weft; knotted against the angle of vision; lazy lines.

The evangelical Transylvanian Saxons in Romania attributed the utmost importance to the interior decoration of their old churches. Donations and their preservation in churches made it possible for some of the cultural treasures with the largest number of Ottoman carpets from this group to survive and become accessible to the public.

The items on display have meanwhile been catalogued with inventory numbers, and they are strictly protected against exportation. Mr Stefano Ionescu has extensively studied these carpets and published them in a magnificently illustrated book. Other carpets are mostly preserved in private collections and find their way to the art market only on extremely rare occasions. The present yellow prayer rug belongs to the group of “Transylvanian prayer rugs with serrated leaves and carnations in the spandrels”. Very beautiful, red prayer field with the aforementioned patterns, two different narrow borders and a large, well-proportioned main border. The narrow outer border at top has been entirely filled in, the lower one only in places. Consistently low pile with new side edges as well as several rewoven areas.

Sold at Dorotheum (19.06.2018) for EUR 27,500 (USD 31,000)