Glorious Silk And Metallic Silver Antique Turkish Seljuk Design Rug, Country of Origin: Turkey, Circa Date: Mid 19th Century – The Seljuks are regarded as the ancestors of the people of modern Turkey and Azerbaijan. Their antique rugs have a distinctive style and motifs that are the forerunners of tribal Anatolian carpets. This magnificent, rare and collectible carpet with silk and metallic threads is an excellent example of Seljuk work. The carpet dates to the mid-19th century and is an exquisite piece of which few examples survive today.
Antique silk and metallic rugs have a visual impact that catches the light in the room. Only artists in special guilds were able to work with silk and metals. Often, pieces with this level of skill and artistry were reserved for ecclesiastical or religious purposes. They were sometimes created for the royal courts. To create the metallic thread, a thin piece of metal was spun around a silk core. Silk is an extremely strong fiber. It also has a luster that is unmistakable as it catches the natural light in the room.
This is a significant antique Seljuk design rug as an artifact and as a breathtaking piece of artwork. The precision of the work shows the skill level that was possible. This is a smaller piece that could easily be used and hung on a wall as a Tapestry rug.
The border pattern and field of the antique Turkish rug have a design that mimics ones found on a 13th century fragment. The artist who created this antique Turkish Seljuk design rug extrapolated the design on the fragment and changed the colors. This makes the piece even more special. The artist who created this piece drew inspiration from an even older one.
This piece is a special find and one that does not come around often on the open market. It is a rare opportunity to appreciate the skill and craftsmanship of the artists. This is a remarkable antique Turkish Seljuk design rug that is an essential for any collection of Islamic art or art of the Ottoman empire.