mid 19th century, 441 x 170 cm, Northern Central Anatolia, Ankara

This large kilim woven in one piece comes from the Elmadag region (translation: apple hill) to the southeast of Ankara. These kilims with their unembellished, emphatically graphic design in specific colours differ clearly from all other Anatolian flatweaves. The field design consists of nested diamonds with parmakli outlines that completely fill the whole surface in an infinite repeat. Three diamonds with a rose-coloured ground accentuate the central axis of the composition. The analogous offset diamonds at the edges are either halved or quartered motifs. In between, the nested outlines of the diamonds form a design of zigzag bands in green, brown, red and blue. Wide elems at both ends finish the kilim which was worked typically without any lateral borders.

Signs of age and wear, a number of holes and missing areas, damage to the edges all around. Provenance: Siedek Collection, Dusseldorf

BÖHMER, HARALD, Nomaden in Anatolien. Ganderkesee 2004, ill. p. 263 top *** ESKENAZI, JOHN / VALCARENGHI, DARIO, Kilim anatolici. Milan 1985, no. 63

RIPPON BOSWELL, A 35, 28 March 1992, lot 89