Antique Turkish Konya Prayer Rug with Coral Field and Floral Border, Country of Origin: Turkey, Circa Date: 1860s – A stepped coral prayer niche and a broad ivory floral border give this antique Turkish Konya rug an expressive, intimate character. Dating to the 1860s, it brings together bold geometric drawing and a varied palette of coral red, blue, olive, muted aubergine, and yellow.
The central coral field rises into a pointed, scalloped arch outlined in ivory and dark brown. Within it, stylized flowering stems and branching forms create a vertical rhythm. Olive-colored areas surrounding the upper arch carry larger botanical ornaments, while a horizontal floral panel completes the composition above. Small variations in the drawing and placement of the motifs give the rug a lively individuality.
The ivory main border is particularly engaging. Large, angular flower heads alternate with smaller leaf and branch motifs, their changing colors creating movement around the perimeter. Narrow blue and coral bands frame the interior, adding definition without diminishing the generous outer border. These strong color relationships and freely interpreted forms are part of the appeal of antique Konya rugs.
Konya and its surrounding region occupy an important place in Anatolian carpet history. Surviving medieval carpets associated with Konya document a weaving tradition reaching back to the Seljuk period. This nineteenth-century example belongs to a much later chapter of that history. It retains the emphasis on angular ornament and expressive color that gives regional weavings their distinctive character.
Its prayer-niche composition also connects it to a longstanding tradition within antique Turkish rugs. The arch evokes the mihrab, the niche in a mosque that indicates the direction of prayer. Here, that architectural idea becomes a textile composition enriched with stylized flowers and branching plants.
Incorporating in Interiors
Measuring 3 feet 5 inches by 5 feet 3 inches, this Konya rug would bring warmth and character to a bedside setting, reading corner or intimate seating area. Its compact scale also invites consideration as a wall display, where the arch and varied floral border can be appreciated together.
For collectors and decorators who enjoy expressive drawing and nineteenth-century Anatolian weaving, this piece offers considerable interest in a small format. It is a distinctive addition to Nazmiyal’s antique rug collection, combining historical context with an inviting, colorful presence.
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