OTTOMAN KIRSHEHIR PRAYER RUG

356 X 106

A very rare Anatolian Kirshehir Majidi (Kirsehir Mecidi) in an unusual runner format for a prayer carpet. This group dates to the reign of the Sultan Abdulmajid (Abdulmecid) who ruled between 1839 and 1861. A group of well known Ottoman rugs are called Mecidi (Majidi) after the Sultan Abdul Majid on account of certain stylistic factors in carpet design which appeared during his reign.

They are sometimes called Ottoman Baroque. The use of cochineal insect red is an outstanding feature: this stunning red field is derived from cochineal insect dye which was and is worth more by the gram than solid gold.

The sparseness of drawing creates a powerful graphic quality. Intriguingly there is a mihrab niche at the top suggesting this was a prayer rug. 

Scattered areas of wear with overall good condition, fashionable distress that does not take away from the appeal and collectibility. A collector's piece. 

Circa 1840-60