Identification, please

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

I was having coffee with a friend this morning, and she showed me this rug, which she had inherited from her grandmother. It's wool on wool, with no obviously synthetic dyes, and measures about 6' by 4'. I have a couple of ideas, but I'm most familiar with South Persian pieces, and I'd be very grateful for new thoughts. This is the only photo I have at present, but I could arrange for more if necessary.

Thank you!

John

[Heinz Kamping Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heinz Kamping]

I believe this is a Melas from southwestern Anatolia, probably from the second half of the 19th century.

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

That's very interesting, Heinz. Would you consider it to be a good piece?

Thanks, John

[Heinz Kamping Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heinz Kamping]

Yes, an interesting 19th-century rug. I like it. I've added pictures of similar pieces. I'm curious to hear other members' opinions.

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

That's very plausible, Heinz. Thank you! Yes, it will be interesting to see what other members think.

John

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

I agree with Heinz. Although the colors resemble other areas at first glance, the elongated main field is the 1st giveaway. It’s a nice rug.

[Joseph R. Putnak Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joseph R. Putnak]

John, All;

Hello. I also agree with Heinz and Joe. The GW Textile Museum in Washington, DC has a Melas rug with a field ornament similar to the first example that Heinz showed in his Post 121 (i.e., the rug dated to the first half 19th c). Although we may never know for sure, this ornament could depict a stylized conifer, which in your friend's rug is even more simplified/abstracted (more like Heinz second example dated mid-19th c). Therefore, the second half 19th c date that Heinz suggested seems about right.

Here is a link to the TM rug: https://collections-gwu.zetcom.net/e...ion/item/8231/

Joseph

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

Joe, Joseph (and Heinz, of course) - that all most helpful. I've sent my friend a link to this discussion. I couldn't have got close to this attribution myself!

Many thanks - John