'Bellini' Carpet

first half 16th century

Not on view

The significance of the unusual "keyhole" motif in the bottom portion of this and other similar carpets is a source of debate. Some scholars interpret it as representing a mihrab (a niche indicating the direction of Mecca) or a gateway, while others see it as a fountain associated with ablutions performed before prayer. Carpets exhibiting this design have come to be known as "Bellini" carpets, after the Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini (d. 1516), who portrayed such weavings placed under the feet of the Madonna in his paintings.

Artwork Details

Title: 'Bellini' Carpet
Date: first half 16th century
Geography: Attributed to Turkey, Ushak
Medium: Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions: Rug: L. 69 in. (175.3 cm)
W. 42 in. (106.7 cm)
Mount: L. 75 5/8 in. (192.1 cm)
Wt. 95 lbs. (43.1 kg)
W. 46 1/2 in. (118.1 cm)
D. 2 5/8 in. (6.7 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Rugs
Credit Line: The James F. Ballard Collection, Gift of James F. Ballard, 1922
Object Number: 22.100.109
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

Audio

6645. Overview: Ottoman Classical Carpets

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More Artwork

In the same medium

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'Lotto' Carpet, Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile — 'Lotto' Carpet
16th century

The Emperor's Carpet, Silk (warp and weft), wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — The Emperor's Carpet
second half 16th century

'Holbein' Carpet, Wool; symmetrically (?) knotted pile — 'Holbein' Carpet
15th–16th century

'Star Ushak' Carpet, Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile — 'Star Ushak' Carpet
late 15th century

The Anhalt Medallion Carpet, Cotton (warp), silk (weft), wool (pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — The Anhalt Medallion Carpet
probably first half 16th century

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