Image Carpets

Antique Hereke Rug – 261244

Hereke carpets are woven in that town near to Istanbul in Turkey. Originally an Imperial factory under the Ottoman dynasty, the workshop became privatised around 1900. The quality of all signed Hereke weavings, as here, is exceptionally high. This ivory ground carpet is exceptionally large. The elaborate, dense pattern of palmettes, various floral elements and serpentine cloud bands is balanced and symmetric top to bottom, right to left. The medium blue border continues the ultra-classical style with in and out major palmettes and minor supporting similar devices. The weave  is very fine and even, the pile, of excellent quality wool, is clipped short to display the elaborate pattern at its best. Today, Hereke is known for small silk rugs of extreme fineness, and large carpet are rarely encountered.