'Transylvanian' Carpet

Unknown

probably 17th century · Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

Large numbers of western Anatolian carpets such as this one were imported into Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. So many were donated as pious gifts to churches throughout Romania and Hungary that they came to be known as "Transylvanian" carpets. Identifiable by distinctive border designs, their central motif likely is based upon Turkish prayer rugs. They were popular in Europe well into the nineteenth century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

probably 17th century

Medium

Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The James F. Ballard Collection, Gift of James F. Ballard, 1922