Bergama Rugs: The James A. Lucas "Ghirlandaio" Bergama RugNew York, Fine Oriental and European Carpets Sale N07749, lot 60
The "Ghirlandaio" group is named for a carpet depicted by Domenico Ghirlandaio in his mid-15th century Madonna Enthroned (see Gantzhorn, Volkmar, The Christian Oriental Carpet, Cologne, 1991, no. 482). Based upon the octagon-in-squares centers of the medallions they are classified as Type III Holbein carpets, see: Yetkin, Serare, Historical Turkish Carpets, Istanbul, 1981, pp. 59-65. Such `Holbein variants' reflect earlier designs but feature a powerful central medallion in contrast to the overall pattern of the "Holbeins" and "Lottos". This rug is unusual for its stark open field. Another rug, with a similar placement of "Ghirlandaio"-style dominant central medallion and four hooked flanking octagons, also framed by a yellow ground Karapinar-style border, was offered at Christie's, London, June 13, 1983, lot 13. However, the Christie's rug displayed sixteen supporting octagons within the field. A rug in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, has a similar field arrangement , see: McMullan, Joseph V., Islamic Carpets from the Collection of Joseph V, McMullan, The Arts Council, London, 1972, p. 52, pl. 96. Here the design is presented in its purest form: color and symmetry, without ambiguity or compromise, a weaving of powerful simplicity. Picture and Information from www.Sothebys.com For Further Reading: Thanks and best wishes, J. Barry O'Connell Jr. |
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