'Bellini' Carpet

Unknown

first half 16th century · Wool (warp, weft and pile); symmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

The significance of the unusual "keyhole" motif in the bottom portion of this and other similar carpets is a source of debate. Some scholars interpret it as representing a mihrab (a niche indicating the direction of Mecca) or a gateway, while others see it as a fountain associated with ablutions performed before prayer. Carpets exhibiting this design have come to be known as "Bellini" carpets, after the Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini (d. 1516), who portrayed such weavings placed under the feet of the Madonna in his paintings.

Artist

Unknown

Date

first half 16th 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