Carpet with Repeating Medallion Pattern on Red Background

Unknown

19th century · Wool; (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

The design of this carpet presents a repeat pattern of octagonal medallions inscribed by a geometric star motif. This type of composition, which has been favored by Turkish carpet weavers since the fifteenth century, derives from the layout of "Holbein" carpets, named after a depiction of a similar work in a famous portrait by the sixteenth–century German painter Hans Holbein the Younger. The bolt geometric design and the contrasting color palette renders this carpet visually impactful.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

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

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Joseph V. McMullan, 1971