Art Lib. XI 282 705 N EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF JAMES F. BALLARD MCMXXII aw ' LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF JAMES F. BALLARD THE MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF JAMES F. BALLARD OF ST. LOUIS, MO. MINNEAPOLIS FEBRUARY I TO APRIL 13 MCMXXII This catalogue was prepared and printed by The Metropolitan Museum of Art for its recent loan exhibition of rugs from the collec- tion of James F. Ballard. Through the kind- ness of the Trustees of that institution, per- mission was given for the printing of five hundred additional copies for use at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Acknowledg- ment of this courtesy is hereby made both to the Museum and to the writer of the cata- logue. Copyright by THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART October, 1921 INTRODUCTION IN 1910-11, when the Metropolitan Museum held the loan exhibition of oriental rugs which first brought to public notice the astonishing wealth of many of our private collections in this class of material, the Museum itself owned only six oriental carpets of first-rate im- portance. Since then, however, our permanent collec- tion has been greatly increased through the Altman and the Fletcher Bequests and the gift of the J. Pierpont Morgan Collection. Furthermore, the Museum has been privileged, since 1910-11, to exhibit as an in- definite loan from C. F. Williams the well-known treasures of the Joseph Lees Williams Memorial Col- lection of Oriental Rugs. And now, through the courtesy and public spirit of another great rug collec- tor, James F. Ballard of St. Louis, Missouri, the Mu- seum is exhibiting as a loan for three months, in the Gallery of Special Exhibitions, sixty-nine oriental car- pets of unusual interest and importance selected from Mr. Ballard's remarkable collection of over three hun- dred rugs. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of seeing this collection in Mr. Ballard's private gallery in St. Louis will know how difficult was the task of restricting our selection to the comparatively small number of rugs which the size of our gallery permitted. The present Erratum Page xiv. For "Seven Mountain rugs," etc., read The "Bergamas" are sometimes called Siebenbvirger Teppiche, because many have been found in Siebenbiir- gen (Transylvania). 1282705 INTROD UCTION exhibition has not been planned to give equal promi- nence to all varieties of oriental carpets, since it seemed best, in view of the strength of the Ballard Collection in rugs of Asia Minor origin of the sixteenth and sev- enteenth centuries, to place our emphasis upon this class of carpets. Nevertheless, several fine Persian carpets and a few Indian and Spanish examples have been in- cluded in the exhibition for comparison as well as for their own interest. On one of the long walls of the gallery hang two of the so-called Armenian "dragon carpets" together with numerous examples of western Asia Minor rugs from the Oushak, 1 Ladik, Bergamo, 2 and other looms. Here are rugs of gold and scarlet in arabesque patterns ; carpets with great star motives; rugs with stylized flower-and-leaf forms or with geometric ornament in bold designs and glowing colors. The exhibition of Asia Minor rugs is continued on the end walls, with the exception of the space occupied by a large Spanish carpet on the west wall ; on this wall is a notable group of Ghiordes 3 prayer rugs, and on the opposite wall a similar group of Koulah 4 rugs of equal distinction. Among the most beautiful pieces in the collection are the three large carpets of the so-called "Damascus" type, which are shown on the floor of the exhibition room. On the fourth wall are other "Damascus" rugs, a few "Bergamas," and a group of Persian carpets of exceptional quality. 1 Or Ushak. 2 Or Bergama, Pergamo. 3 Or Ghiordez, Gurdez, Guerdi, Gierdi, Yourdez, Yurdi, Yordi. * Or Kulah, Coula. vi INTROD UCTION In the brief space of this Introduction, it is ob- viously impossible to dwell at any length upon the ori- gin of carpet weaving; it must suffice to say that the industry is unquestionably one of great antiquity. The earliest carpets were probably of the tapestry (khilim) 1 variety; but in the historical period the knotted-pile carpet predominates. Both kinds are made on the loom. In the case of tapestry carpets, weft threads of varied colors to form the design are woven in and out, over and under, the warp threads stretched on the loom; as the work proceeds, the weft threads are pressed down to give a compact texture (see Nos. 42, 49 for examples of khilims). In making the knotted- pile carpet, the warp threads are strung, and on these, rows of knots, each requiring two warp threads for a single knot, are tied by hand and the ends cut off to produce an even pile surface. The knots are held in position by weft threads, concealed beneath the pile. Upon the number of knots and the closeness of the warp threads depends the fineness of texture. As many as 790 knots to a square inch have been counted in an extremely fine specimen; 2 the coarser modern produc- tions average about 15-60 knots to the square inch. Wool is the principal material for knotting; silk occa- sionally is used; and gold and silver threads are some- times woven (not knotted) in the fabric to give greater richness of effect. The warp threads may be of cot- ton, wool, or silk. The colors of the old rugs are few in number and limited in shades. Red, blue, green, yellow, black, and white, and occasionally violet are 1 Killira, Kilim, Gilira, Ghileem. 2 I.e., a fragment of an Indian carpet in the Altman Col- lection. vii INTRODUCTION the principal colors. The old dyes, although happily far from "standardized," have a beauty and a per- manency which the aniline colors in common use to- day cannot rival. The dating of early rugs is a matter of much uncer- tainty; but a small number of rugs may surely be as- signed to the fifteenth century, and for a few excep- tional pieces, dates even as early as the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries are claimed. It is not until the sixteenth century that we find the certain evidence of a date wrought into the carpet itself; our reference is to the famous Ardabil carpet, which bears the date 946 of the Hegira (A.D. 1540). Many rugs have come down to us from the sixteenth century, the Golden Age of the industry, but naturally they are not by any means so numerous as the later fabrics of the seven- teenth and eighteenth centuries and of modern times. In general, oriental carpets may be classified as Per- sian, Turkish, Caucasian, Central Asian, Indian, and Chinese. Since the rugs in the present exhibition, with few exceptions, are either Persian or Turkish, we shall consider only these two divisions in the following notes, aside from a few general references to Indian rugs and to oriental influence in Spanish carpet weaving. The oft-quoted description of the sumptuous garden carpet of Chosroes I (A.D. 531-579) gives a vivid idea of the skill which the rug weavers of Sassanian Persia had attained in the sixth century of our era. Between this and the date of the earliest existing Persian rugs, we must believe that the art was continuously prac- tised, but the nature of its development is largely con- jectural. No doubt traditional patterns were con- viii INTRODUCTION tinued the garden carpets which were woven as late as the eighteenth century are probably reminiscent of Chosroes' famous carpet but the Mongol invasions of Persia in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and later relations with the Far East introduced new mo- tives such as the dragon and phoenix and the Chinese cloud band, which long continued popular. Characteristic in general of Persian rugs are the graceful, flowing lines of the design ; the well-ordered composition; the mellow, rich-hued harmony of the color; the popularity of floral motives; the frequent introduction of animal, and even human, forms; and the technical perfection of the manufacture. An early type of Persian carpet, of which the more primitive examples may be assigned to the second half of the fifteenth century, shows a central medallion or star with or without pendent cartouches, quarter-sec- tions sometimes occurring in the corners of the field. Two splendid examples (Nos. 56, 62) of these medal- lion carpets are included in the exhibition. The medallion scheme often occurs in the "animal" and "hunting carpets," which are counted among the most beautiful productions of the Persian looms. They were made presumably in northern Persia; perhaps, as it has been suggested, the looms of Tabriz in north- western Persia had the principal share in their produc- tion. Animals are found in the designs pf fifteenth- century rugs, but it was during the reign of Shah Tah- masp I (1524-1576) that this type of rug enjoyed its greatest popularity. After the close of the century, animal rugs are rare. There are no "animal carpets" in the exhibition, but several superb examples may be ix INTRODUCTION seen elsewhere in the Museum. The exhibition does include, however, a beautiful Persian rug (No. 59), which has a border design of broad arabesques and oval medallions similar to those on some of the "animal rugs"; but the field with its palmettes and scrolling stems recalls the type of the earliest "Ispahans" from Herat. To Kirman in southern Persia is attributed an im- portant class of rugs, mainly of the sixteenth century. Characteristic of one group of Kirmans is the use of individual plant forms repeated at close intervals over the field, sometimes within a trellis-like framework. An early example of this type is No. 53. The so-called "vase carpets" form another group, dating from about the second third of the sixteenth century; in rugs of this type, large ogee-shaped compartments are filled with flowering plants, palmettes, and vases (see No. 65). During the first half of the seventeenth century the imperial manufactories produced a class of rugs distin- guished by their delicate colors and liberal use of gold and silver. It was once thought that these rugs were Polish, but in reality they were made in Persia as presents to be sent from the Shah to Europeans of high rank. A well-known type of Persian carpet, the so-called "Ispahan," comes from the region of Herat in eastern Persia. The patterns are characterized by the use of palmettes, Chinese cloud bands, and scrolling stems; the borders, in the best examples, are often very beauti- ful. The usual color of the ground is red, with borders of blue or green. The finest examples date from the INTROD UCTION second half of the sixteenth century or the early seven- teenth ; after the middle of the latter century the Herat rugs deteriorated in design and manufacture. Rugs of the "Ispahan" type were also woven in India, and Persian influence may be seen in another class of Indian rugs with floral motives in trellis patterns. Animal and hunting carpets, reminiscent of Persian models, are also known. No. 63 is an Indian carpet of unusual design, but typical in color. In the main, boldness of design, rather than refine- ment, is characteristic of old Turkish carpets. The patterns have often a geometric character, and the curving line is not so common as the rectilinear. Ani- mal and human forms are practically excluded, but con- ventionalized floral motives and even fairly realistic renderings of the tulip, hyacinth, pink, and other flow- ers found on the so-called "Rhodian" and "Damascus" faience of the period are of frequent occurrence. The coloring of the old rugs is generally rather bright and full-hued, with vigorous contrasts of scarlet and yellow or of red and blue. In some of the later fabrics, such as the Ghiordes, more delicate colors and lighter effects were sought; but in general, it is the direct, straight- forward character of design and color which distin- guishes carpets of Turkish origin. In describing these rugs one might with equal pro- priety substitute the designation Asia Minor for Turkish, since for centuries the chief centers of Turkish rug weaving have been in Anatolia. To Armenia, however, has been assigned an important class of rugs, the so-called "dragon carpets," for which a very early date has been claimed. There do not appear to be xi INTRODUCTION sufficient grounds for describing these carpets definitely as Armenian, although they were probably made in eastern Asia Minor; and such early dates as the thir- teenth and fourteenth centuries, which have been pro- posed for rugs of this type, are now seriously ques- tioned. The design of these "dragon carpets" (see Nos. 2O, 34) is undoubtedly archaic in character, but the type is probably traditional and the actual date of manufacture, for the most primitive examples, is hardly earlier than the fifteenth century. Indeed, the ma- jority of these splendidly decorative "dragon carpets" should probably be assigned to the sixteenth or seven- teenth century. Rug weaving was undoubtedly practised at a very early date in Asia Minor, although few specimens have survived, such as the three rugs in the Mosque of Ala- ed-Din at Konieh, which are believed to be of the thirteenth century, and the dragon and phoenix carpet in the Kaiser Friedrich Museum, Berlin, which may be dated in the fourteenth or early fifteenth century. With the latter century our task is easier, and a con- siderable number of existing rugs may be assigned to this century on the evidence afforded by contempo- raneous European paintings in which oriental carpets are introduced. Some of the oldest existing Asia Minor rugs are known as "Holbein rugs," since they occur in paintings by Holbein and other artists of his time. Rugs of this type have a purely geometric pattern consisting of stars or squares outlined with interlacing bands ; the borders often imitate Kufic lettering. xii INTRODUCTION Another type of rug frequently seen in European paintings of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries is patterned with an all-over design of angular ara- besques or leaf- forms in yellow on a scarlet ground; in the borders are Chinese cloud bands or simulated Kufic letters (see No. 30). A familiar class of Asia Minor rugs of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, well represented in the ex- hibition, comes from the looms of Oushak. Large star motives, filled with angular arabesque designs, either complete or halved by the border, are characteristic of these rugs, which combine blue and yellow or blue and red (see No. 17). The Ballard Collection is particularly rich in rugs of the so-called "Damascus" type. The group of seven here exhibited is probably the largest number in any one collection. These rugs, of fine angora wool, are readily distinguished by their unusual color scheme of cherry red, sage green, yellow, and light blue. Two main types of design may be noted. In one, the field consists of a square, inclosing an octagon, with oblong panels at either end (see No. 54), or the field may be divided into squares inclosing hexagons (see No. 55) ; in the borders are alternating large and small car- touches. Within these areas, the ornament is small in scale and includes conventionalized trees, flowering shrubs, stars, and rosettes. Floral ornament charac- terizes the other type, which follows the central medal- lion scheme of composition with quadrants in the cor- ners. In the designs which show Persian influence, Chinese cloud bands, palmettes, and curving, serrated leaves are combined with such flowers as the tulip, xiii INTRODUCTION hyacinth, rose, and carnation. Nos. 66, 67, and 68 are magnificent examples of this type. There is no evidence that rugs were woven at Da- mascus. In all probability, just as the so-called "Rhodian" and "Damascus" faience is now known to have been made in northwestern Asia Minor, so these "Damascus" carpets, which repeat the floral motive of the faience, may presumably be assigned to the same region, and not unreasonably, in view of their fine quality both in weaving and in design, to an imperial manufactory. A group of five Bergamo rugs (Nos. 25, 28, 32, 36, 61) offers an unusual interest to the visitor, as this type is not represented in the Museum collection. The "Bergamas" are sometimes called "Seven Mountain rugs," because many have been found in the region of the Siebengebirge in southern Germany. They are squarer than most Asia Minor rugs, and have a charac- teristic medallion border; prayer rugs are uncommon. Rugs of this kind may be seen in European paintings of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Ladik is another important center of rug production hitherto unrepresented in the Museum. The prayer rugs, Nos. 1 8, 35, 47, and 52, with their rich coloring and characteristic ornament of pomegranate stalks and "arrow-heads" or "Vandykes" are splendid examples of the Ladik weaves. One, No. 47, will have a special interest for students as it bears the date mo of the Hegira (A.D. 1699). From Ghiordes and Koulah in western Asia Minor come the prayer rugs which constitute a particular feature of the Ballard Collection. The general char- xiv INTRODUCTION acteristics of these rugs are well known. 1 The intro- duction of ornament in the niche field is more common in the Koulah than in the Ghiordes type, where the effect is usually that of a solid-color field ; the Koulah niche is generally lower than the Ghiordes, and the border stripes more numerous; the Ghiordes, as a gen- eral rule, has a cross panel above and below its field, the Koulah, only the upper panel. The finest produc- tion of the Ghiordes and Koulah looms, such as those exhibited here, date from the seventeenth and eigh- teenth centuries. No. 1 1 , with its unusual decoration of a sura from the Koran filling the entire field of the prayer niche, is dated A.D. 1614. Although the design of these rugs may seem sometimes rather thin in com- parison with earlier carpets, the best examples are delightfully harmonious in color. Delicate hues are skilfully contrasted with strong, pure colors, and one has only to consider as color alone the beautiful shades of blue, nile green, or ruby in the mihrabs of such rugs as Nos. 2, 3, 6, and 9 to understand the popularity which this class of rug has long enjoyed. In conclusion, a few words must be said about the two Spanish carpets in the exhibition, one dating from about 1500, and the other from the early seventeenth century. The technique of rug weaving was brought to Spain by the Arabs, and the designs of the earliest Spanish rugs quite naturally show a family resem- blance to the products of the Near Eastern looms. But at the end of the fifteenth century, a new type 1 The niche, it may be recalled, represents the mihrab built into the wall of the mosque to indicate the direction of Mecca. XV INTROD UCTION of design, European in character and based on Renais- sance motives, came into favor. No. 69, with its large wreaths and winged-dragon border, is a splendid ex- ample of these Spanish Renaissance carpets. At the same time, however, imported oriental carpets were copied or freely imitated by the Spanish weavers. Sometimes, as in No. 8, the two influences, oriental and European, are combined; in this carpet the field design is based on the arabesque patterns of such Asia Minor carpets as Nos. 23 and 30, but the border de- sign is European. JOSEPH BRECK. xvi CATALOGUE CATALOGUE NOTE: The catalogue follows the arrangement of the rugs as ex- hibited, but on page 27 will be found a table of catalogue num- bers grouped according to the diff erent types of rugs represented. 1 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche, white ground with floral ornament; in the apex, a spray of flowers and an inscription: "There is but one God and Mohammed is His prophet." A cross panel at the top contains another inscription not yet translated. In the principal border, surrounded by narrower stripes in white and yellow, is a design of rosettes and medal- lions in light blue and yellow on a deep blue ground. Wool. 5 ft. 10 in. x 4 ft. 2 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche, light green, with floral borders and suspended spray in red and white; in spandrels and upper and lower panels, other floral ornament. Unusually wide border of seven stripes; colors mainly red, light blue, and white, THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART except in the principal border, where dark blue occurs in the broad leaf and stem of a repeating plant motive. Wool. 6 ft. 3 in. x 4 ft. 6 in. 3 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Red niche with suspended lamp; blue ground spandrels; light green and buff panels above and below. Main border, alternating medallions and palmettes with attendant leaves on light yellow-green ground, between three inner and three outer guard stripes. Wool. 5 ft. 7 in. x 4 ft. I in. 4 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the red ground of the niche, conventional columns, mosque lamp, and (inserted) vase of flowers. Gold thread introduced in the columns and other ornament of the niche. Span- drels, dark blue; cross panels above and below. In the main border stripe are palmettes, medallions, and attendant leaves in red, blue, and white on a greenish tan ground. Wool. 5 ft. 5 in. x 4 ft. I in. 5 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche, deep blue; spandrels, light terracotta ; narrow panels above and below. Seven- stripe border; in the main stripe, repeating design of the triple pomegranate motive, in blue, red, and yellow on a white ground. Wool. 5 ft. 8 in. x 4 ft. 2 in. LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 6 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the delicate robin's-egg blue of the niche are two conventional columns and a mosque lamp. Narrow panels above and below. The border stripes are closely patterned with floral and geometric ornament in light yellow, rose, blue, and green, with occasional passages in deep blue, giving vivacity to the whole. Wool. 5 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. 8 in. 7 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY Betrothal Rug. Double-arched field, white ground patterned with "catspaws" ; spandrels, with blue and red arabesques on green ground; central medallion, red and yellow design on blue ground. Border: zigzag of broad white bands with "cats- paws," forming triangular fields in blue or red, between two secondary stripes. Wool. 4 ft. i in. x 3 ft. 8 in. 8 SPAIN, EARLY XVII CENTURY Field: on a tan ground, arabesque design in blue, green, orange-yellow, and yellow, outlined in white, blue, or light blue. Border: on tan ground, banded ribbon design in blue and conventionalized leaf forms in the colors of the field ornament. Wool, ii ft. x 5 ft. 7 in. 9 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Deep blue center, with two columns and floral spray; light green spandrels; panels above and below. Seven-stripe border with THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART the triple pomegranate motive in light blue and red on a white ground. Wool. 5 ft. 9 in. x 4 ft. 3 in. 10 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Light gray-green niche with two columns; floral spray in place of lamp; spandrels, light blue ground ; panels above and below. Terra- cotta red, gray-green, light blue, and brown pre- dominate in the closely patterned seven-stripe bor- der. Wool. 5 ft. 3 in. x 4 ft. I in. Illustrated. 11 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY - Prayer Rug. On the red field of -the niche is a sura from the Koran, with the date 1022 of the Hegira (A.D. 1614). Two cross panels complete the field. Border, seven stripes, with medallions and rosettes in the main stripe. Wool. 5 ft. 2 in. x 4 ft. 12 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche with suspended lamp and inverted ewer, red ground; blue spandrels; light blue and buff- panels above and below. Main border stripe, palmettes and rosettes with at- tendant leaves on a light tan ground, between three inner and three outer guard stripes. Wool. 5 ft. 3 in. x 4 ft. 2 in. 13 ASIA MINOR, XVI CENTURY Prayer Rug. In the white field of the niche are represented two candlesticks and a mosque lamp, 6 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS in yellow and red outlined in dark green. In the spandrels, a Chinese cloud band with floral motives, rosettes, hyacinths, tulips, carnations, and pinks, in green and red on a yellow ground. Narrow panel above, with tracery of hyacinths and arabesques, red and green, on a white ground. Border: on a yellow ground, six oblong panels and six circular medallions, with inscriptions in green and red on a white ground, surrounded by Chinese cloud bands outlined in green and red. Inner and outer borders with floral design in the same colors on a yellow ground. This is a piece of most unusual character and rarity. Wool. 5 ft. 10 in. x 3 ft. ioy 2 in. Illustrated. 14 ASIA MINOR (GHIORDES), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche, light gray-green, with ivory white spandrels; narrow panels above and below. Seven-stripe border in ivory white, light green, terracotta red, and violet. Wool. 5 ft. 6 in. x 4 ft. i in. 15 EASTERN ASIA MINOR OR ARMENIA (KUBA?), EARLY XVII CENTURY Runner. Medallions and leaves in yellow, red, light blue, and white on a dark blue ground. Broad yellow border with guard stripes in a re- ciprocal trefoil pattern. Wool. 12 ft. 6 in. x 2 ft. i in. 1 6 ASIA MINOR (YURUK?), XVII-XVIII CENTURY Field: trellis framework with hooked ornament inclosing octagonal fields of green, blue, violet, 7 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART orange, and red, patterned with geometric orna- ment in contrasting colors. Border: on a yellow ground, running hook pattern in red. Wool. 6 ft. i in. x 4 ft. 17 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK), MIDDLE OF XVI CENTURY Field: on a red ground, patterned with small palmettes and stems, a large central star, outlined in white, with an arabesque design in red and yel- low on a blue ground, between two four-pointed stars and parts of four large stars similar to the central motive. Border: leaf and flower design, on a blue ground, with inner guard stripe of yellow. Wool. 5 ft. 7 in. x 3 ft. 5 in. 1 8 ASIA MINOR (LADIK), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Field: light blue niche, with flowering tree terminating in ewers; below niche, panel with five pomegranate stalks in light blue on a yellow ground rising from "arrow-heads" of brown, yellow, and blue; above, floral motives in same colors on a yellow ground. Border: on a blue ground, lily motives and medallions, between secondary stripes with yellow ground. Wool. 6 ft. 8 in. x 3 ft. 7 in. Illustrated. 19 WESTERN ASIA MINOR, FIRST HALF OF XVI CENTURY Prayer Rug. Field: on a buff-colored ground, an octagon in gray and rusty black with two in- scriptions: that in the center is the small Sura 112 8 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS of the Koran, reading: "Say, He is God alone, God the Eternal! He begets not and is not begot- ten! Nor is there like unto Him anyone!"; this is surrounded by an inscription in Turkish: "Who- soever prays upon this carpet, may his prayer be accepted and (may God) make him attain his desire (?) and from Heaven may his sins be wiped out." In the corner areas of the field are arabesques in blue, yellow, green, etc. Border: in the principal stripe are six panels with inscriptions and Kufic letters simulating an inscription. The Neskhi inscription in five of the panels repeats the sura generally called Ayat-al-Kursiyi : "God! There is no God but He, the Living, the Self- Subsistent; slumber takes Him not, nor sleep. His is what is in the heavens, and what is in the earth. Who is it that intercedes with Him save with His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they comprehend not aught of His knowledge but what He pleases. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth and it tries Him not to guard them both, for He is high and grand." The characters are in buff on a black ground; between the panels are flowers in red, blue, green, and white. The repeating design of the guard stripes is composed of three balls, either yellow or blue, between two tiger stripes in sage green, on a dark red ground. Wool. 5 ft. 4 in. x 3 f t. 5 in. Illustrated. THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART 20 EASTERN ASIA MINOR (ARMENIA?), XVI CENTURY So-Called "Dragon Carpet." Field: on a blue ground, serrated bands and leaves with medallions and palmettes in white and red form a trellis frame- work, inclosing other palmettes and dragon mo- tives. In addition to the colors mentioned are violet and light green. Border: on a yellow ground, conventionalized vine pattern ; guard bands, with reciprocal trefoil design in blue and red. Wool. 15 ft. 2 in. x 7 ft. 2 in. Illustrated. 21 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK?), MIDDLE OF XVI CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche outlined by narrow blue band. Entire field covered with palmettes and leaves in red, yellow, and light blue on a red ground. Border : similar motives on a blue ground, with vine pattern on a red ground in the outer border. Wool. 5 ft. x 3 ft. 5 in. 22 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK), FIRST HALF OF XVI CENTURY Hearth Rug. Field: red ground, with spandrel ornament in green, yellow, blue; in the center, a quatrefoil with red and blue floral ornament on a red ground. Border: between narrow guard stripes, Chinese cloud bands and conventionalized floral motives in red, light blue, rose, and yellow, on a blue ground. Wool. 5 ft. x 3 ft. 7 in. Illustrated. 10 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 23 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK?), EARLY XVII CENTURY Yellow arabesques, with accents of blue and white, on a scarlet ground. Border: on a dark blue ground, yellow and light blue medallions in- closing motives in red and yellow or red and blue; narrow inner stripe of white and red, and broad outer stripe of red. Wool. 5 ft. 8 in. x 4 ft. Illustrated. 24 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK), EARLY XVI CENTURY Field : on a red ground, large star motive in dark blue, outlined in white, inclosing ornament in red, yellow, and light blue; two triangular fields of similar character with palmettes and other orna- ment in green, yellow, and other colors complete the field design. Border: between narrow guard stripes, conventionalized leaf and flower motives. Wool. 5 ft. 9 in. x 4 ft. Illustrated. 25 ASIA MINOR (BERGAMO), EARLY XVII CENTURY Hearth Rug. Field: two lamps or vases with floral and leaf motives on a blue ground with arches at either end; in the spandrels, green arabesques on a red ground. Border: blue, yellow, and white medallions on a red ground, between narrow secondary stripes. Wool. 6 ft. 2 in. x 4 ft. 26 CENTRAL ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK?), FIRST HALF OF XVI CENTURY Hearth Rug. Field: red ground, arched at either end; spandrels filled with cloud bands in ii THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART blue and green; central star in blue, green, and yellow. Border: palmette and leaf design in red, yellow, green, and blue on dark blue ground; sec- ondary stripes with designs in blue and green. Wool. 5 ft. 10 in. x 3 ft. 9 in. Illustrated. 27 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK), FIRST HALF OF XVI CENTURY Field: on a red ground, patterned with dark blue floral motives, a large central medallion, dark blue ground, inclosing a quatrefoil with red ground framed by yellow arabesques. At the ends, half- sections of sixteen-pointed stars with dark green ground outlined with yellow. Border: on a blue ground, Chinese cloud motives and floral ornament in yellow and red between inner and outer stripes of yellow and red. Wool. 14 ft. 10 in. x 7 ft. 4 in. Illustrated. 28 ASIA MINOR (BERGAMO), LATE XVI CENTURY Hearth Rug. Field: red ground, arched at either end; in the spandrels, conventionalized flower and leaf forms in red and white on a blue ground; in the main field, two yellow lamps or vases with palmettes and rosettes in blue and white. Border: on a yellow ground, alternating medallions and stars in white, red, blue, and yel- low ; secondary stripes, reciprocal trefoil in red and brown. Wool. 5 ft. 3 in. x 4 f t. I in. Illustrated. 12 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 29 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK?), MIDDLE OF XVI CENTURY Hearth Rug. Field: red, niche at either end, with Chinese cloud bands in the spandrels in yel- low and blue; central hexagon with red star on dark blue. Border : red, yellow, and green leaf and palmette design on dark blue; secondary stripes, red ground. Wool. 5 ft. i in. x 3 ft. 5 in. 30 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK?), EARLY XVI CENTURY Field: on a scarlet ground, arabesque design in yellow with accents in blue and white. Border: simulated Kufic letters in white and red on a green ground, with guard stripes in blue and yellow on a red ground. Wool. 5 ft. 7 in. x 3 ft. 10 in. 31 ASIA MINOR, FIRST HALF OF XVI CENTURY Field: on a yellow ground, large palmettes, leaves, and rosettes in red, red-violet, blue, and white. Border: on a red ground, rosettes in colors of the field ornament with yellow guard stripes. Wool. 5 ft. 9 in. x 4 f t. I in. Illustrated. 32 ASIA MINOR (BERGAMO), LATE XVI CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the ivory ground of the niche, a suspended mosque lamp, palmettes, other floral motives, and leaves, in blue, yellow, and red; spandrels, red, with arabesque ornament in black outlined with white. Border: on a yellow ground, 13 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART medallions, blue and white, with arabesque de- signs; secondary stripes with reciprocal trefoil de- sign in red and brown. Wool. 6 ft. 4 in. x 4 ft. Illustrated. 33 ASIA MINOR (OUSHAK?), XVI CENTURY Prayer Rug. Field : red ground ; niche outlined by black band with design in white, red, and blue ; in the niche, two triangular fields in blue and cen- tral star in green. Border: on a black ground, angular leaf and stem design in yellow, red, and blue. Wool. 5 ft. x 3 ft. 1 1 in. Illustrated. 34 EASTERN ASIA MINOR (ARMENIA?), XVI CENTURY So-Called "Dragon Carpet." Field: on a red ground, large serrated leaves in dark blue and white, with medallions and large palmettes, form a trellis pattern inclosing other palmettes and yel- low dragon motives; violet, dark blue, and light blue occur in the palmettes. Border: on a white ground, a design of conventionalized lilies, rosettes, and palmettes in the colors of the field ornament. Wool. 12 ft. 7 in. x 7 ft. 6 in. Illustrated. 35 ASIA MINOR (LADIK), LATE XVII CENTURY Field: on a red ground, triple arcade in blue and ivory ; above, cross panel with five pomegranate stalks springing from "arrow points." Border: medallions in red, light blue, and ivory on a blue ground ; narrow secondary stripes. Wool. 5 ft. 8 in. x 4 ft. Illustrated. 14 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 36 ASIA MINOR (BERGAMO), XVII CENTURY Field: on a red ground, three large palmettes with broad leaves and smaller floral and leaf orna- ment in blue, red, yellow, and white. Border: between narrow guard stripes, rosettes and floral motives in blue, red, and brown. Wool. 7 ft. i in. x 5 ft. 2 in. 37 ASIA MINOR (LADIK), LATE XVII CENTURY Hearth Rug. On a blue field, closely patterned with leaf and floral motives, three narrow panels in red, arched at ends. Border: blue and red medal- lions on light yellow ground, with three inner and one outer stripe. Wool. 6 ft. 3 in. x 4 ft. 6 in. 38 ASIA MINOR, XVI CENTURY Field : on a light red ground, trellis pattern with small stars in blue and yellow. Border: on a light blue ground, design in yellow and red. Wool. 7 ft. 2 in. x 4 ft. 3 in. 39 WESTERN ASIA MINOR, LATE XVII CENTURY Field: on a red ground, patterned with pinks and rosettes, arabesques in white and red define blue fields covered with floral ornament in white, red, and green. Border: on a yellow ground, meander design of pinks, roses, etc., in red, light and dark blue, with guard bands in blue and dark brown. Rugs of this type are sometimes called Rhodian ; the texture recalls the Koulah rugs. Wool. 10 ft. i in. x 3 ft. 10 in. 15 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART 40 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the blue ground of the niche, a "tree" design in red and buff; single cross panel above. Border of numerous small stripes with white, buff, red, and brownish black grounds. Wool. 6 ft. 9 in. x 4 ft. 2 in. 41 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH? GHIORDES?), EARLY XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the red ground of the niche two columns with ewers and a floral device sus- pended from the apex; in the spandrels, a design in light yellow on blue; cross panel above. On the blue ground of the principal border, palmettes and medallions with leaves and floral sprays in white and tan, with small passages of red, green, and black. Wool. 6 ft. 7 in. x 4 ft. 4 in. Illustrated. 42 ASIA MINOR, LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Khilim (tapestry weave) enriched with gold and silver thread. Field: triple arcade of green inclosing tree devices on a white ground. Border: on blue or tan grounds, vine and plant motives in blue, brown, red, yellow, and white. Wool. 5 ft. x 3 ft. 7 in. 43 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche, dark blue ground powdered with small yellow stars; cross panel above. Other stars and small motives decorate the light blue 16 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS spandrels, and the white, buff, and brownish black stripes of the border. Wool. 5 ft. 7 in. x 3 ft. 10 in. 44 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH), EARLY XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Red niche, with small floral de- vice at the apex; in the spandrels, foliated scroll design in yellow, red, and white on light blue ground; above, cross panel with floral motives on red ground. In the principal border, banded by narrow yellow and red stripes, a design of palmettes and rosettes in red, white, and yellow on blue ground. Wool. 5 ft. 10 in. x 4 ft. 45 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On a red ground, suspended from the apex of the niche, an inverted ewer and pendent floral device; two columns and spandrels in light blue; cross panel above. A floral unit in yellow, red, and white repeats on the dark blue ground of the principal border, which is surrounded by nar- rower stripes with white, yellow, and red grounds. Wool. 6 ft. 3 in. x 4 ft. 3 in. 46 EASTERN ASIA MINOR OR ARMENIA (KUBA?), ABOUT 1650 Field: on a deep blue ground, rows of shield- shaped cartouches, inclosing leaf or tree motives, alternating with rows of broad leaves. The colors are red, yellow, tan, light blue, white, and black. On the white ground of the border, between nar- 17 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART row guard stripes, is an "anchor" design in red, green, and blue. Wool. 14 ft. 2 in. x 6 ft. 5 in. Illustrated. 47 ASIA MINOR (LADIK), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the white ground of the niche are two columns, two ewers, and in the apex a medallion bearing the date of the Hegira mo (A.D. 1699) ; in the spandrels, leaves and medal- lions on a red ground; in the panel below, five pomegranates on leafy stalks issuing from "arrow- heads." On the blue ground of the principal bor- der is a design of alternating medallions and lilies. The ground of the outer border is red, between narrow white stripes, and of the inner, mulberry between yellow stripes. Wool. 6 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. 9 in. 48 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH), EARLY XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the red ground of the niche are two columns with ewers, and in the apex a lamp or vase with flowers; light blue spandrels with floral pattern in yellow; narrow panel above. The principal border shows a design of various flowers in red, yellow, and white on a blue ground. Wool. 6 ft. 4 in. x 4 ft. 49 ASIA MINOR, LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Khilim (tapestry weave) enriched with gold threads. On the red ground of the niche are three trees, the central with pendent ewers; 18 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS in the spandrels, other tree forms in red and blue on a gold ground. In the three-stripe border are trees, a meandering vine, and other motives in red, green, and blue, on yellow and tan grounds. Wool. 4 ft. 1 1 in. x 4 ft. 2 in. 50 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the blue ground of the niche, bordered with stars, are star-like flowers and vases in yellow and light blue; cross panel above the light blue spandrels. Characteristic many-striped border with a small ornament in red, blue, and light blue on white and cream-colored ground. Wool. 6 ft. x 4 ft. i in. Illustrated. 51 ASIA MINOR (KOULAH), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. On the blue ground of the niche, a unit design in yellow, white, and light blue, composed of two trees, a tomb, and a coffin, is re- peated on either side of a "tree" design occupying the center of the field. Characteristic border of nar- row stripes, with small rosettes and other figures on grounds of white, yellow, red, and brownish black. Wool. 6 ft. 7 in. x 4 ft. 52 ASIA MINOR (LADIK), LATE XVII CENTURY Prayer Rug. Niche, red ground; in the span- drels, red and green medallions and leaves on a greenish tan ground; below, on a red ground, a characteristic row of pomegranates and "arrow- heads." On the yellow ground of the principal 19 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART border, alternating medallions and lilies; secondary stripes in shades of brown and red. Wool. 6 ft. x 3 ft. 10 in. 53 SOUTHERN PERSIA (KIRMAN), ABOUT 1500 Field: on a red ground, close rows of flowering plants in white, yellow, light blue, rose, dark green, and blue. Border: on a dark blue ground, excep- tionally fine design of interlacing arabesques and flowering stems in the colors of the field ornament ; white ground guard stripes. Wool. 8 ft. 1 1 in. x 5 ft. 10 in. Illustrated. 54 WESTERN ASIA MINOR (SO-CALLED "DAMASCUS" TYPE), XVI CENTURY Field: square inclosing an octagon and a star with oblong panels at either end. Border: alter- nating medallions and oblong cartouches; rosette guard stripes, Colors : deep cherry red, bright blue, and yellow-green. Wool. 6 ft. 4 in. x 4 ft. 6 in. 55 WESTERN ASIA MINOR ( SO-CALLED "DAMASCUS" TYPE), XVI CENTURY Field: three hexagons, inclosing blue and green stars with radiating small tree motives on red ground; triangular fields, blue-green and white. Border: medallions and arabesques in white, red, and blue on light blue-green ground. Wool. 5 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. I in. Illustrated. 20 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 56 NORTHERN PERSIA, ABOUT 1500 Field : on a light salmon-colored ground, pat- terned with arabesques and rosettes in light and dark blue, green, red, brown, and white, a large central sixteen-pointed star, banded with red, with pal- mettes and other ornament in red, white, and brown on a bright blue ground; smaller central star, red ground. Border: on a sage green ground, between white guard stripes, arabesques and palmettes in white, blue, yellow, green, light and dark red. Wool. 19 ft. 2 in. x 7 ft. 10 in. Illustrated. 57 WESTERN ASIA MINOR ( SO-CALLED "DAMASCUS" TYPE), XVI CENTURY Field: on a red ground, palmettes, rosettes, and long curving leaves, with small central medallion and quadrants in blue, green, and yellow. Border: similar motives on red ground, between yellow secondary stripes. Wool. 6 ft. 2 in. x 4 ft. 58 ASIA MINOR, XVII-XVIII CENTURY On a red ground, a yellow trellis design inclos- ing stars with radiating geometric ornament in blue and rose. In the principal border, a repeating geometric unit in white, green, blue, red, lavender, and other colors on an orange ground. Wool. 7 ft. 5 in. x 5 ft. 4 in. 21 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART 59 NORTHERN PERSIA (TABRIZ? HERAT?), ABOUT 1580 Field: on a red ground, palmettes, stems, and Chinese cloud motives in white, yellow, orange, green, light and dark blue. Border: on a green ground, alternating red and yellow medallions in- closing palmettes, connected by orange arabesques; white and orange guard stripes. Wool. 9 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 4 in. Illustrated. 60 WESTERN ASIA MINOR (SO-CALLED "DAMASCUS" TYPE), XVI CENTURY Field: on a cherry red ground, green central medallion and light blue quadrants, ornamented with palmettes and curving lanceolate leaves in straw yellow, green, and light blue. Border: cherry red ground with ornament similar to that of the field, between guard stripes of rosettes on a green ground. Wool. 5 ft. 9 in. x 4 ft. 61 ASIA MINOR (BERGAMO), XVII CENTURY Although of the Bergamo type, this rug may have come from Makri. Field: on a red ground, with blue corner areas, is a central star of light yellow with pendent, jewel-like motives (lamps?) in yel- low, blue, light green, red, and white. Medallions, stars, and leaves in corner areas. In the principal border, on a yellow ground, are large medallions in red, green, and violet. Wool. 8 ft. i in. x 5 ft. 4 in. 22 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 62 NORTHERN PERSIA, ABOUT 1500 Field: on a brown ground, patterned with small rosettes, palmettes, and other motives in white, light red, yellow, and blue, a large central eight- pointed star or medallion, light red ground, with pendent cartouches in green and red. Border: palmettes and bands in dark blue, light blue, yel- low, and red on a light red ground. One end of rug restored. Wool. 17 ft. 5 in. x 8 ft. 7 in. Illustrated. 63 INDIA, FIRST HALF OF XVII CENTURY Field: geometric design developed from two swastikas inclosed in large squares; birds and floral motives. Border: on a green ground, palmettes and floral stems. Colors: madder red and pink, light blue, gray-green, tan, and white. Wool. 6 ft. x 4 ft. 2 in. Illustrated. 64 SOUTHERN PERSIA (KIRMAN), ABOUT 1680 Double Prayer Rug. Shiraz design, but Kirman work. Upper niche, light greenish blue; lower niche, dark blue; spandrels and border, brownish red. Wool. 7 ft. 7 in. x 3 ft. 4 in. Illustrated. 65 SOUTHERN PERSIA (KIRMAN), SO-CALLED "VASE CARPET," EARLY XVI CENTURY Field: on a red ground, large palmettes in a variety of colors, connected by thin stems in a sug- gested rhomboidal pattern. Two half-vases (cut by 23 THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART border) may be seen. Fine border of interlacing arabesques on a dark blue ground. Wool. 12 ft. x 7 ft. 2^2 in. Incomplete. Illus- trated. 66 WESTERN ASIA MINOR (SO-CALLED "DAMASCUS" TYPE), XVI CENTURY Field: on a red ground, palmettes, rosettes, and serrated leaves in yellow, green, dark green, and white; in the quadrants, on a dark blue ground, radiating pinks, tulips, roses, and other flowers with "tiger stripes"; the central portion of the carpet, now missing, undoubtedly showed a central medal- lion with similar floral design (see Nos. 67 and 68). Main border: design of Chinese cloud bands and arabesque-like leaves inclosing palmettes and rosettes in blue, green, yellow, and white on a red ground. Wool. 1 1 ft. 4 in. x 9 ft. 7 in. Illustrated. 67 WESTERN ASIA MINOR ( SO-CALLED "DAMASCUS" TYPE), XVI CENTURY Field : on a pinkish amber ground, patterned with palmettes, leaves, and stems, a central medallion and quadrants with radiating sprays of hyacinths, tulips, pinks, and roses in yellow, green, and rose on a blue ground. Main border: similar floral sprays on a ground of the same color as the field, alternating with cartouches inclosing arabesques on a green ground. Wool. 1 6 ft. ii in. x 9 ft. 7 in. Illustrated. 24 LOAN EXHIBITION OF ORIENTAL RUGS 68 WESTERN ASIA MINOR (SO-CALLED "DAMASCUS" TYPE), XVI CENTURY Field: on a claret red ground, a green and red central medallion and dark blue and red quadrants with floral motives and cloud bands in yellow, green, light and dark blue. Border: between green guard bands a scrolling design of blue clouds with palmettes and leaves interrupted at intervals by dark green leaf-shaped medallions inclosing floral sprays. Wool. Silk warp. 13 ft. 9 in. x 8 ft. Illustrated. 69 SPAIN, LATE XV-EARLY XVI CENTURY Field: on a yellowish rose ground, fourteen large wreaths in blue-green and gray-green outlined with yellow, arranged in a double row. Border: con- fronted dragons in blue-green outlined with yel- low, on a gray-green background; guard stripes, knotted cord design. Wool. 17 ft. 9 in. x 7 ft. 10 in. (Exhibited in Gallery J 12.) CLASSIFICATION BY CATALOGUE NUMBERS ASIA MINOR ^3.13,19,31,38,39,42,49,58 ASIA MINOR, BERGAMO Nos. 25, 28, 32, 36, 61 ASIA MINOR, GHIORDES Nos. i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,9, 10, 11, 12, 14,41 (?) ASIA MINOR, KOULAH Nos. 40, 41 ( ?), 43, 44, 45,48,50,51 ASIA MINOR, LADIK Nos. 18, 35, 37,47, 52 ASIA MINOR, OUSHAK Nos. 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 33 ASIA MINOR, YURUK No. 16 EASTERN ASIA MINOR OR ARMENIA Nos. 15, 20, 34,46 WESTERN ASIA MINOR ("DAMASCUS") . . .Nos. 54, 55, 57, 60, 66, 67, 68 INDIA No. 63 PERSIA, NORTHERN Nos. 56, 59, 62 PERSIA, SOUTHERN (KIRMAN) Nos. 53, 64, 65 SPAIN Nos. 8, 69 27 ILLUSTRATIONS 10 2O 22 fe^j^ 26 28 33 i.Vr w %$ r- s?T 34 35 53 55 59 62 65 66 67 68 OF THIS CATALOGUE FIVE HUNDRED COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS OCTOBER, 1921