Ca. 1800, 476 x 161 cm, Central Anatolia

VOK Collection: Anatolia 23

The enchanting feature of this long single-panel kilim from a village in the north eastern region of Cappadocia is its exceptionally rich variety of colours. It belongs to the group of striped kilims woven without borders. The field design consists of 21 horizontal bands in different and constantly changing ground colours, each containing a bar of a different colour ending in long “finger” outlines at both sides. A comb motif placed at the centre of each band is woven in a third colour, and all the outlines are finely traced in a fourth colour. The composition is strictly symmetrical and conceived in mirror image; the combs are placed exactly on the vertical central axis. The bands are separated by delicate brown stripes showing white embroidered miniature motifs. The basic idea of the composition may be inspired by double niche kilims, although the niches can be barely made out. – Several missing sections, mounted onto canvas.

VOK, IGNAZIO, Vok Collection. Anatolia. Kilims und andere Flachgewebe aus Anatolien. (Text: Udo Hirsch) München 1997, Nr. 23