Carpet

Date18th century, possibly

MediumWool pile, red wool warps, red wool wefts.

Dimensions45" X 65"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957-128

DescriptionCarpet: Ghiordes knot: about 110 knots per square inch; two shoots red wool weft after each row of knots. Colors: Ground: field- red, medallion-dark blue, boder-dark blue, inner and outer guard bands-red; pattern: creamy-white, yellow, orange, red, light blue, dark blue, green, brown. The field has a niche at each end. The four spandrels are filled with interlaced arabeques bearing half palmettes. In the center of the field there is an oval lobed medallion with arabesques and angular floral scrolls. The border has a design of floral scrolls with lotus palmettes and small carnations interlaced with an arabeque bearing large composite half-palmettes. The outer guard band has a wavy floral scroll with angular palmettes and leaves. the inner guard band has a wavy floral scroll with angular palmettes and leaves. The inner guard band has a scroll with leaves and spirals.

Construction History
Possibly 18th century: Initial construction
Dates unknown: Ends cut, later stabilized with blanket stitchesLabel TextThis Turkish "prayer" carpet is believed to be of characteristic design for its type, with the exception of the outer guard stripe (border). With each end appearing to have been cut or removed, the outer border's alternating palmettes, with one shoot curled, is rarely identified elsewhere.
The carpet's opposing arches, defined by intricate interlaced scrolls, evoke the mihrab, a niche found in mosque walls that indicate the direction of prayer. The pendant hanging from the top arch could further be interpreted as a "mosque lamp," evident in other Turkish prayer rugs.Inscription(s)None foundMark(s)None foundProvenancePrior to 1957, Beshir Galleries (New York, NY); 1957-present, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)