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Pierre Galafassi · February 1st, 2012, 08:02 AM

Hi Filiberto,

Thanks a lot for sharing with us Brancati’s informations and the highly interesting computer reconstruction of the rug. I like the little stylized lilies included in the eight Rub el Hizb points. There is a, probably fortuitous, analogy with the «kochak» motif of Salor rugs.

The following sixteenth century extant anatolian rug is the closest thing to della Francesca’s carpet which I could dig out so far. Sure, the red field is more crowded, but it features the bold eight-pointed star with the eight lilies (?) and also the large octagon inside the star.

FIG. Western Anatolia, sixteenth century, 212x135, Heinrich Kirchheim, Orient Stars, page 237.

Oh, and several extant fifteenth- and sixteenth century Mamluk rugs also feature a large Rub el Hizb medallion. However, the esthetics of della Francesca’s rug and of Mamluk carpets (very low contrast, overcrowded field etc..) are really as far apart as can be. IMHO a common origin is not credible.
Best regards
Pierre  

February 1st, 2012, 08:02 AM	#3
Pierre Galafassi Members Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 153	Hi Filiberto, Thanks a lot for sharing with us Brancati’s informations and the highly interesting computer reconstruction of the rug. I like the little stylized lilies included in the eight Rub el Hizb points. There is a, probably fortuitous, analogy with the «kochak» motif of Salor rugs. The following sixteenth century extant anatolian rug is the closest thing to della Francesca’s carpet which I could dig out so far. Sure, the red field is more crowded, but it features the bold eight-pointed star with the eight lilies (?) and also the large octagon inside the star. FIG. Western Anatolia, sixteenth century, 212x135, Heinrich Kirchheim, Orient Stars, page 237. Oh, and several extant fifteenth- and sixteenth century Mamluk rugs also feature a large Rub el Hizb medallion. However, the esthetics of della Francesca’s rug and of Mamluk carpets (very low contrast, overcrowded field etc..) are really as far apart as can be. IMHO a common origin is not credible. Best regards Pierre