Rug, early 17th century; Ottoman
Egypt, probably Cairo
Wool; 79 x 48 in. (200.66 x 121.92 cm)
Gift of James V. McMullan, 1971 (1971.263.2)
Egypt, probably Cairo
Wool; 79 x 48 in. (200.66 x 121.92 cm)
Gift of James V. McMullan, 1971 (1971.263.2)
The Ottoman workshops produced a great variety of carpet designs that usually employed a group of familiar elements consisting of naturalistic flowers, lotuses, and palmettes, often combined with feathery lanceolate leaves, medallions, arabesques, and cloud bands. This rug was woven in a center outside Istanbul, probably in Cairo, as suggested by the palette and certain technical features. It is knotted with the asymmetrical knot, the so-called Senneh or Persian knot, rather than the symmetrical Gördes or Turkish knot.

















