Carpet

late 15th–early 16th century

Not on view

Documents first refer to Cairo as a carpet‑weaving center in the last quarter of the fifteenth century. Carpets of this type figured significantly in Mediterranean commerce and appear in Venetian paintings as early as the sixteenth century. They are characterized by kaleidoscopic profusion of tiny motifs and a limited color range, resulting in an iridescent effect. Production of these so‑called Mamluk carpets continued until the mid-sixteenth century, after the 1517 Ottoman conquest of Egypt.

Artwork Details

Title: Carpet
Date: late 15th–early 16th century
Geography: Attributed to Egypt, Cairo
Medium: Wool (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions: Textile:
L. 98 1/2 in. (250.2 cm)
W. 86 in. (218.4 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Rugs
Credit Line: Bequest of George Blumenthal, 1941
Object Number: 41.190.262
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

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Five Medallion Carpet, Wool (warp, weft, and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — Five Medallion Carpet
ca. 1500

Mamluk Carpet, Wool, (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — Mamluk Carpet
early 16th century

Fragment of an Ottoman Court Carpet, Wool (warp, weft, and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — Fragment of an Ottoman Court Carpet
last quarter 16th century

Prayer Rug, Silk, wool; asymmetrically knotted thread — Prayer Rug
late 16th century

Carpet, Wool (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile — Carpet
16th century

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