Bergama prayer rug / age?

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Dear all,

Just happened to pick up this small prayer rug (108 x 93) from a local auction. I figured it was Turkish, but admittedly know next to nothing about Anatolian weaving.






After some googling I came across this rug which had been sold and advertised as "Antique Anatolian Bergama Prayer Rug." As you can see, it is a very close relative of the one I acquired:




So what do people who know Anatolians think of these two rugs--Bergama? / age? (My rug shows even wear and seems to have some age, but I remain somewhat skeptical about a 19th century dating.)

Best,

Mikko Saikku

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Please post pics so we can try to help you.

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Here we go--another try! (They show up fine on my screen...)

Mikko

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Just to lend a hand on your research. The size of your rug may indicate it’s a Çanakkale rug which is often termed “Bergama”. I am excited to see your pics.

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Hi Joe,

Can you them now?

Mikko

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Yes thank you.

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

At first glance, it does not look like a Western Anatolia rug. I will dig deep into my old books to see if I can identify it.

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

I agree that it has Caucasian-style elements but isn't that a feature of many Anatolian weavings?

Mikko

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Yes they do cross over. The colors are nearly correct for the area in question but the motifs, especially the two hands are throwing me off.

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

I looked through every Turkish book I have, and I have a lot to include old rare ones. I could not find anything even close to being even similar to a West Anatolian rug. What I did find suggests it’s shows characteristics of 19th-century Fachralo Kazak rugs from Armenia, Caucasus, Georgia region. I did find the example you pictured that was similier to yours. It was, I believe, improperly listed as a Bergama rug. This happens all the time. Sellers may not know what they have and find a picture online and consider it the authority without any research. I too see this often from sellers who will list something that is not even close to what it is.

But, your rug is extremely nice, the age seems appropriate and it has some very unique symbols and motifs. It was a good find for sure. My knowledge from the area I believe your rug is from is very limited. Hopefully others will chime in and add some information.

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Hi Joe,

Many thanks for your research and input! I agree the rug has many Kazak-style elements. I just could not find any Caucasian prayer rugs of this design in any of my books. However, another internet search then unearthed this! So my rug really seems to be a Kazak, not a Bergama prayer rug. And those two "Russian Eagle" motifs (cf. Chelaberd!) in the lower field definitely point to Caucasian, not Anatolian, origin.

As for the age, I would guess it then has to be a pre-revolution product--at least all the Soviet Kazaks I've seen have been very mechanical in execution.

Best,

Mikko