Carpet, Lotto type
Date17th century or later
OriginAsia, Turkey
MediumWool pile, wool warps, wool wefts.
Dimensions3'11" X 6'0"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1954-648
DescriptionGhiordes knot: about 99 knots per sq. inch; two shoots red wool weft after each row of knots. Colors: Ground; field-red, border-light blue, inner guard band- black-brown, outer guard band- red. Pattern; white, yellow, light blue, dark blue, orange, red and brown-black. The field has an allover pattern of angular arabesques with full and half-palmettes, forming various geometric devices. The border is decorated with simulated Kufic writing, the ends of the letters ending in half-palmettes. The inner guard band has an arabesque scroll with half-palmettes and small rosettes. The inner edging has a zig-zag design. The outer guard band contains a wavy floral scroll with leaves and blossoms.Construction History
17th century or later: Initial construction
Date unknown: Protective edging added to selvedges
1970: Cleaned by hand, holes and edges repaired, selvedges oevrcast, and lining removed by Beshir Galleries (New Yorl, NY)
1972: Cleaned by hand and renovated by Beshir Galleries (New York, NY)Label TextThis carpet belongs to the Turkish "Lotto" type, named for Renaissance painter Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1566), who often depicted these designs in his paintings. Carpet specialists have speculated that many supposedly 17th century "Lotto" carpets, like this one, are actually 18th or 19th century due to an abundance of unusually fine quality examples found in Europe and America; these are perhaps European copies of original designs.Inscription(s)None foundMark(s)None foundProvenancePrior to 1954, Beshir Galleries (New York, NY); 1954-present, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)
Probably late 17th century
18th or 19th century
17th century
18th c.
17th or 18th c.
18th century (possibly)
17th or 18th century
17th century
1700-1730
Probably 17th century (original parts)
Possibly 19th century
18th century