Konya or Karapinar?

[Lala RMZH Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lala RMZH]

Hello everyone!
I recently bought this rug at one of the Dublin auctions, where it was listed as a “worn Kazak.” To my eye, it’s clearly Central Anatolian. After checking John Taylor’s Rugtracker, I found two very similar examples from — one identified as Konya 1880 (sold at AAH in 2020) and another sold at Skinner in 1989 as an “antique Anatolian.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts on its period and origin. Structurally it’s single-wefted, with open spacing between rows and visible warp alignment. The design feels quite archaic, with a floating central medallion and an unrestrained layout.

Could this possibly be earlier than 1800 — perhaps from the Karapınar or early Konya group?




Warm regards,

Leyla

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

It looks like a Yastik from the top and bottom Mihrab motifs. What is the size?

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

I saw that rug in the auction catalogue and thought it was Anatolian, probably from Konya, too.

Best wishes,

John

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

I agree it’s Turkish although I do not believe it’s from Konyaor nearby Karapinar. I believe it’s from the Erzine or Çanakkale area. The main motif gives this away along with the main colors. It does appear to be an older piece. Don’t rule out it being a Yastik, a size will be needed.

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

According to the catalogue it measures 200 x 128 cms.

John

[Lala RMZH Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lala RMZH]

The size is 200x 130 .

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

Thanks for the size. It definitely rules out a Yastik.

This is an unusual piece as it appears to be from Çanakkale (West Anatolia) although it contains the top and bottom border of Mihrabs that generally are found on Central Anatolian examples. The colors too suggest West Anatolia.

Being puzzled on this piece, I went deep into the books to find an answer. In the book, “Rug of the Peasants and Nomads of Anatolia”, (1983) W. Bruggemann and H. Bohmer, does speak of this unusual adaptation of the west and central Anatolia.

After my research, I will go with Karapinar or the vacinity there of. I do not believe it is from Konya though which lies 100km to the west of Karapinar.

Rug origins are very neglected with sellers or auction houses. A simple, “It’s from Turkey” is not enough. Where in Turkey? “Anatolia”. And the specifics go in from there concerning specifics. Mostly, the answer can be found but it’s often neglected from laziness.
example….
-It’s an oriental rug
-It’s from Turkey
-It’s from Anatolia
-It’s from Central Anatolia
-It’s from Konya
-It’s from Karapinar
-which villiage around Karapinar?

[Lala RMZH Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lala RMZH]

Thank you so much — this is incredibly helpful and so well researched. The Brüggemann & Böhmer reference and that Central–Western Anatolian crossover make perfect sense. Wonderful to see such insights shared so generously.

Do you think it’s from the same period as Plate 18, or could it be earlier?

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

It’s very difficult to judge the age of your piece from the pics. I would say it’s rather old and appears to have been repaired a few times. Don’t count out its beauty by this. There are many museum pieces in terrible condition but they are so rare, they are proudly displayed. These types of rugs are normally sourced from very old Mosques. They are donated by a weaver or a family and generally have been there for many years.
A few ways to start with an age identifier would be the knot count, natural or synthetic dye, finding similar published examples and determining if the warp is cotton or wool. If you have a book that is 40 years old and find a similar piece that is recorded at 50-80 years old….this would also help. I will say in my opinion, this is a very unusual rug. A blend of two distinct weaving areas.