Antique Melas Rug from Turkey, late nineteenth century Antique Melas rugs are famed for their color, fine weave, and design among the various regional village weavings of Turkey, but this example is simply incomparable in its recourse to early or classic Turkish models. The reciprocal field design of quatrefoil medallions goes back even to Timurid or Ilkhanid designs, while the two main borders are paralleled in Turkish rugs of the fifteenth century. But what really makes this rug work is the combination of controlled drawing and color. The commitment to color effect is especially clear in the outer vinescroll border where the color is different on either side of the undulating vine., echoing the color alternations of the inner palmette border.