Karapinar Prayer Rug

First half 19th century, 135 x 96 cm, Central Anatolia, Konya region

The distinctive field design of this prayer rug consists of six simply drawn, stepped gables in a vertical arrangement, their tips decorated with a double hook. Each gable contains two lateral stars. The ascending movement inherent in the composition has a transitory meaning based on religious beliefs. A number of comparative pieces have been published. The oldest example is the prayer rug published and analysed in detail by Herrmann in 1987. Almost identical in field design, the various examples only differ in their border schemes. – Good condition, the original finishes survive all around.

NEUGEBAUER, RUDOLF & ORENDI, JULIUS, Orientalische Teppichkunde. Leipzig 1909, Nr.68 *** HERRMANN, EBERHART, Seltene Orientteppiche IX. München 1987, Nr.7 *** BRÜGGEMANN, WERNER/BÖHMER, HARALD, Teppiche der Bauern und Nomaden in Anatolien. Hannover 1980, Nr.46 *** DODDS, DENNIS & EILAND, MURRAY L.,JR. (Hrsg.), Oriental Rugs From Atlantic Collections. Philadelphia 1996, Nr.57 *** ASLANAPA, OKTAY, One Thousand Years of Turkish Carpets. Istanbul 1988, Tf.120