{"id":2425,"date":"2018-07-20T16:37:14","date_gmt":"2018-07-20T15:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.transylvanianrugs.com\/?p=2425"},"modified":"2024-04-07T12:50:52","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T11:50:52","slug":"early-single-and-double-niche-transylvanian-rugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transylvanianrugs.com\/?p=2425","title":{"rendered":"First-period Single and Double-Niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019 Rugs"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the 100th anniversary of the great Budapest exhibition of 1914, when the ‘Transylvanian’ rugs were brought to the attention of the wider public, we had a fresh look at this fascinating and controversial group. According the design they can be divided in 4 main subgroups: Single- and Double-niche rugs (which should be discussed together), Plain-niche prayer rugs and Column rugs. These groups employ peculiar motifs for the borders and for the spandrels which suggest they were produced in different centres in Western Anatolia. The slide below shows the main groups of ‘Transylvanian’ rugs and their population world wide:\u00a0about 720 examples survived today.<\/p>\n

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The population of ‘Transylvanian’ rugs, divided by design groups. Today Transylvania is still the region with the higher number of such examples world-wide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These rugs are all prayer format and reflect the technique of Western Anatolia weavings: wool on wool structure, lazy lines, weft color changes. In many cases we can observe stitched side finishings (which leave exposed weft). The absence of corner solution suggest the weavers did not follow a complete design. All the directional examples (except a couple of rugs) are woven upside-down which is a practical solution for making a well designed arcade. This is a relevant fact, which was somehow overlooked in the past. The upside-down technique is not encountered in Small Ushaks.<\/p>\n

Together with the Lottos, the ‘Transylvanian’ rugs represent the largest surviving group of 17th century Anatolian carpets. Studying this group is fundamental for understanding much of the 18th and 19th century rugs of Bergama, Demirci, Dazk\u0131r\u0131, G\u00f6rdes, Karap\u0131nar, Konya, Kula, Ladik, Milas, Mucur, and even beyond to eastern Anatolia.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Black Church, Bra\u015fov a must see for every carpet connoisseur: Ushak, Lotto, ‘Bird’, Cintamani rugs and the greatest ensemble of ‘Transylvanian’ rugs, in outstanding condition.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The key idea of this article is proving that the Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs evolved from the Prayer format<\/strong> with decorated field (usually called Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’). For long time it was thought that the forerunners of the Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ were the Small-medallion Ushaks but as we will see later in this article this is very unlikely.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

A shorter version of this post was published in an article on\u00a0Carpet Collector<\/strong> magazine Nr. 3\/2014 which can be downloaded from this link:\u00a0\u00a0Article.pdf<\/a> (including German version Fru\u0308he Siebenbu\u0308rger Nischen- und Doppelnischenteppiche<\/em>) <\/span><\/span>or\u00a0 English Article.doc<\/a>;<\/span><\/a> for any observation or additional information please contact the author at\u00a0stefano_ionescu@yahoo.it<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’ Group<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Origin of the Design<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to many authors the prayer carpet, called sajjada<\/em> in Arabic, is the “most popular and widely used type of carpet” (R. Ettinghausen).\u00a0 The 17th cent. Anatolian prayer rugs with star-and-cartouche border and decorated field,\u00a0with a mosque lamp hanging from the apex<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>of the niche are called Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs.The study of the First-period examples is extremrly useful in order to understand the origin of the design. Only 12 First Period examples<\/strong> have survived until today, several in Transylvania but also in Turkey. They all show a very similar and well organised design, which points to a common prototype, today lost. All but one show arabesque spandrels. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Little<\/span><\/span> was know about how this design came into being and how it was adopted by the provincial west Anatolian weavers. The lobed profile of the arch recalls the prayer rugs as those illustrated in 15th and 16th centuries\u00a0Persian miniatures<\/a>. <\/span><\/span>The overall composition shows some similarities to 16th century Safavid<\/a> or to Cairene<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>prayer rugs and also to earlier works of architecture: the tiled mihrab<\/em> with arabesque spandrels at the Tomb of Mehmet I<\/a> in Bursa (built around 1420 by the ‘masters of Tabriz’) or the late 16th cent. Iznik tiled panel, at the Mausoleum of Selim II<\/a>, in Istanbul.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

According to recent research carried by the author, this layout – a mihrab<\/em>\u00a0topped by a Coranic inscription, surrounded by a wide cartouche border, framed by reciprocal motifs – recalls the 16th<\/sup> century Ottoman stained glass inner windows of the\u00a0quibla<\/em> wall of some of Sinan\u2019s mosques. This is the case of\u00a0S\u00fcleymaniye Mosque<\/a>, Sokollu Mehmet Pasha Mosque<\/a> or, as Prof. Gulru Necipoglu points, to\u00a0the Tomb of S\u0327ehzade Mehmet, where the original windows survived.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

The same design is found in a miniature from Surname-i H\u00fcmayun of 1582, showing the Glaziers<\/a> during the Parade of the Artizans. The fact that 9 (out of 12) first-period Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs have white or yellow ground is again compatible with this idea. Decorative elements, as the reciprocal trefoil border and even the chain-like minor border are employed in the Iznik tile revetments of the same period, as those found at the Sultan\u2019s Tomb at Suleymanie.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

All this suggests that the Single-niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019 rugs (which lack a forerunner in carpets) derive from the Ottoman court style of the second half of the 16th<\/sup> century.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Surviving First-period Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Except for the cross-panel the design of all 12 examples is very similar and well organised, most probably derived from an earlier prototype, today lost.<\/div>\n
‘Transylvanian’ prayer rugs (Single-niche, Plain-niche and Column-rugs) are always woven from top to bottom, a technique called \u2018upside down\u2019 weaving. This method enabled the weaver to position properly the cusp within the field. In all cases the weaver starts with the horizontal top border then she makes the vertical borders, which start with a complete motif (star or cartouche in this case) while the truncated one, if any, occurs in the final section of the rug.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The lack of corner solution reveals that such rugs were not woven in organised workshops, after a complete cartoon (Jon Thompson, The Sarre Mamluk<\/em>, p. 18, 1980).<\/div>\n

Here are a few facts about the 12 surviving First-period Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs.<\/p>\n

WHITE SP<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Examples with Decorative Cross-panel<\/strong><\/p>\n

Six examples show a decorative cross panel above the niche. The earliest and the best one is the Single-niche from Sibiu, now in the National Brukenthal Museum. With 2500 knots\/sq dm this is the finest ‘Transylvanian’ rug and probably the closest to the ‘ideal’ prototype, now lost.<\/p>\n

The Sibiu rug was first published in b\/w in the catalogue of the 1914 Budapest exhibition as cat. 73\u00a0<\/a>. Then it was shown in color in V\u00e9gh and Layer 1925, pl. 11, which was republished as Turkish Rugs in Transylvania<\/em> in 1977 by Fishguard with a text by Marino Dall’Oglio<\/a>\u00a0who dates it to the “very early” 17th century.\u00a0 Notably the plates of the V\u00e9gh and Layer 1925 have been used by Tuduc as models for his fakes. Such copies of the Sibiu Single-niche have been published in\u00a0Schmutzler 1933, pl. 43<\/a>, and Wulff 1934, pl. 15<\/a>. Several other fakes of the Sibiu Single-niche rug, including one in Sighi\u015foara inv. 540<\/a>\u00a0one in a private home in the area of Bra\u015fov<\/a>, and one in the Jim Dixon<\/a> collection have been identified by the author.<\/p>\n

More recently the wonderful Sibiu Single-niche rug was exhibited in Rome (2005)<\/a>, Berlin (2006), Istanbul (2007)<\/a> and Gdansk (20013)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WIT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Single-niche<\/a>
Single-niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019 rug with arabesque cross-panel, west Anatolia, early 17th cent., 118 x 155 cm, 2470 knots\/sq dm, National Brukenthal Museum, inv. M 1626, formerly in the Lutheran Church of Sibiu. Exhibited at the great Budapest Exhibition of 1914.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The field shows a mosque lamp hanging from the cusp and a scrolling vine with rosettes, flower buds, palmettes and simplified saz<\/em> leaves. The composition is symmetrical along the vertical axis, with palmettes, of different types,\u00a0 alligned vertically. The motifs, borrowed from the Ottoman style are organised according to a precise design:
\n(1) an ascending palmette pointing to the mosque lamp;<\/p>\n

(2) a pair of simplified split leaves above the palmette;<\/p>\n

(3) two \u2018rotating\u2019 palmettes;<\/p>\n

(4) a pair of four-petalled rosettes below the palmette;<\/p>\n

(5) stylised saz<\/em> leaves with half palmettes<\/a>, at the bottom of the field;<\/p>\n

An interesting feature of the Sibiu example is the cross-panel above the niche, with multicoloured arabesques on a brick-red ground. This motifs have been wrongly interpreted as confronting animals, but a closer examination reveals that they complete the spandrels\u2019 pattern, displaying ivory arabesques on a dark ground. The well drawn star-and-cartouche border<\/a>, flanked by reciprocal trefoil minor borders and ‘chain link’ stripes is typical for early examples.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> From the technical point of view this example stands out for the very high knotting density; there are no lazy lines are visible on the back but there are weft colour changes<\/a>. The rug bears the donor name MICH Stamp<\/strong>, without any date. Research carried in the Parish archives could not trace the donor.<\/p>\n

Additionally there are 5 Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs\u00a0 with arabesque spandrels and decorative cross-panel above the niche:<\/p>\n

– the white-ground\u00a0Avachian<\/a> rug in the Museum of Art Collections in Bucharest;<\/p>\n

– the Single-niche from the Monastery Church in\u00a0Sighi\u015foara inv. 536<\/a>;<\/p>\n

– the Ballard<\/a> fragmentary rug in the SLAM (according to Tom Farnham it was bought from the Turkish collector Kafaroff around 1916); the author examined this rug and concluded that the historical restoration does not reflect the original.<\/p>\n

– the Bensilum<\/a> Single-niche (acquired by Herrmann from a collector called Bensilum who had bought it from Ulrich Sch\u00fcrmann), – the Achdjan-Tabibnia<\/a> Single-niche (found in Paris long time ago), which is probably the latest in the group.<\/p>\n

Examples with Inscribed Cross-panel<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three Single-niche rugs have a cross-panel with the same religious script. According to the Italian Ottomanist Luca Pizzocheri this translates:\u00a0Hasten to the prayer before the death (comes).<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The earliest Single-niche with inscribed cross panel is the well known Eskenazi-Dall’Oglio Single-niche ‘Transylvanian’<\/a> now.\u00a0It has a very clear and fine design with fresh colours; the spandrels show a floral pattern with a stylised palmette, similar to the ‘scorpion’ of the Selendi rugs. The rug emerged in a collection in Lugano, then passed a number of owners and finally reached the Romain Zaleski collection in Milan.<\/p>\n

WHITE SP<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Single-niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019 rug with inscribed cross-panel, first half 17th cent., 126 x 167 cm, TIEM inv. 401, from Sinan Bey Mosque of Kastamonu.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The angular design and the profile of the niche of the TIEM Single-Niche<\/strong> shown here, points to a later date, probably mid 17th century. Note the twisted ‘claws’ in the cartouches, which is a tendency towards simetrization of the motifs, which is one of the developments imposed by the need of weaving faster.\u00a0<\/span>The fact that it survived in a mosque confirms that prayer rugs with religious script were still produced for the local market.<\/span><\/p>\n

A third example, with important restorations which probably do not reflect the original design in the central section, now in a Connecticut collection<\/a>. This rug could have been purchased by Marino Dall’Oglio from Tuduc.<\/p>\n

WHITE SP<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
WHITE SPACE<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
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WHITE<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Examples without Cross-panel<\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Three first-period examples have no cross-panel above the niche.<\/div>\n
WHITE<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Single-niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019, west Anatolia, mid 17th cent., 122 x 154 cm, 1.600 knots\/sq dm. Lutheran Church of Media\u015f, formerly in the Lutheran Church of Wurmloch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the left, the rug from the\u00a0Lutheran Church of Wurmloch<\/a>\u00a0now on display in St Margaret’s Church in Media\u015f. It has the typical palette of the ‘Transylvanians’: red-ground niche, blue spandrels and yellow-ground border. The inner stripe does not show the usual reciprocal motifs, which are typical for the earliest examples.<\/p>\n

Two other examples of this type are known so far:<\/p>\n

MET 22.100.92<\/a>, donated to the MET by Joe Mc. Mullan who acquired it from James Ballard who bought it in Istanbul, from a collector called Kafaroff;<\/p>\n

MIA Doha, CA.96.2012<\/a>\u00a0belonged to the Saxon collector from Bra\u015fov Emil Schmutzler. He published it as Plate 42 in the album\u00a0\u00a0Altorientalische Teppiche in\u00a0<\/i>Siebenbu\u0308rgen\u00a0<\/i>of 1933. Today this rug is in the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, thanks to Michael Franses<\/a> who acquired it in Sweden.<\/p>\n

WHITE SPAC<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

The Double-niche Layout<\/strong><\/p>\n

Given the apparent similarities with Small-medallion Ushaks it was thought that these were the forerunners of the Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’. This hypothesis is not supported by the motifs, which are all different, by the direction of weaving and by the color palette.<\/p>\n

The reason why this layout came into being is probably related to a historical fact:\u00a0the Edict sent in 1610, under the rule of Sultan Ahmed I, to all kad\u0131s in K\u00fctahya sanjak.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Double-niche Transylvanian with arabesque spandrels and star-and cartouche border. The field has only one lamp. Upside-down woven. West Anatolia, early 17th cent., 120 x 167 cm, 2400 knots\/sq dm, Centraal Museum, Utrecht, inv. 9123.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is the translation of Edict of K\u00fctahya:<\/p>\n

We heard that, weavers who produce carpets and seccades in your \u201ckaza\u201ds (townships), depicting mihrab, Kaba and hat (calligraphy) on carpets & seccades and selling them to non-Muslims.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u015eeyh\u00fclislam (Shaykh al-Islam) prescribe this is against Islam and forbidden by \u015feriat.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In kazas you\u2019re responsible, warn weavers about this fatwa to obey the rule: don\u2019t depict mihrab or Kaba on carpets and seccades. If one doesn\u2019t obey this fatwa, warn him sternly and send his name to us for punishment.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

(Ahmet Refik, Istanbul Hayati (1000 \u2013 1100)<\/em>, Istanbul, doc. 83, pp.43-44 Transl. by Levent Boz, Ankara)<\/span><\/p>\n

So, producing rugs for export in the double-niche format was a way of ostensibly obeying the Edict.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When the second niche was added the field pattern had to be adapted and a second lamp was added. Most often the early Double-niche rugs are not perfectly symmetrical (on the horizontal axis) and in many cases there are clear directional elements (like the lamp in this case or the raising palmette in other). The idea of the double-niche could have been borrowed from Small-medallion Ushaks or from book-binding but all the design elements are peculiar to the Single-niche rugs.<\/p>\n

Some people may object that in the 17th century\u00a0K\u00fctahya is known for pottery and not for carpet weaving. But as Levent Boz points, we should recall that\u00a0U\u015fak was a kaza<\/em> of K\u00fctahya Sanjak! This clarifies why the Edict was sent to K\u00fctahya, which was the capital of the Sanjak. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are other kazas<\/em> of K\u00fctahya Sanjak<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/span>Balat, Baklan, Banaz, Bozku\u015f, \u00c7al, \u00c7ak\u0131rca, Da\u011fard\u0131, Dazk\u0131r\u0131, E\u011frig\u00f6z (Emet), E\u015fme, Gediz, Geyikler, G\u0131lcan, G\u00f6k\u00f6y\u00fck, G\u00fcre, Homa, \u0130nay, Kaz\u0131kl\u0131, Kula, Osmaneli, Si\u00e7anl\u0131, Silinti, Sirke, \u015eeyhlu, Tav\u015fanl\u0131, U\u015fak.<\/p>\n

We should keep in mind that such regulation (fatwa<\/em>) had to be observed by the weavers from other Sanjaks, like the nearby Manisa.<\/p>\n

According to V\u00fcgar Dada\u015f<\/span>ov it is interesting that the fatwa<\/em> (legal pronouncement of the Shaykh al-Islam and Mufti) to which Sultan Ahmed refers in his Edict, does not contain the word “mihrab”, but only Beyti Sherif (Kaba) and hat (khatt\/calligraphy). But following to it, Sultan Ahmed orders (by mentioning that it is in accordance with the Fatwa-i Sharif) that “from now on, laborers (weavers) should not depict\/weave 1) mihrab, 2) Holy Kaba 3) Hutut (various calligraphy) on prayer rugs…<\/u> and they should weave as it used to be (“adet-i kadime” \u00fczre (literally means “old traditions”)<\/p>\n

WHITE SPACE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rugs in the Double-niche format were exported in considerable numbers to the West where they became very \u2018trendy\u2019. Soon this layout took over the Single-niche one, which continued to be produced in smaller numbers.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
11 examples have star-and-cartouche borders and arabesque spandrels. In most cases<\/a> the design has directional elements: note the motifs surrounding the rising palmette and the extra hooks on the upper cusp of the Budapest rug.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
The term ‘Siebenb\u00fcrger’ Teppich had been coined by Neugebauer and Orendi in their Handbuch Der Orientalischen Teppichkunde<\/em> of 1909. Unfortunately the Budapest double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ of Abb. 39<\/a> was published upside-down, with the cross panel downward and with the ascending palmette pointing down. This error persisted for over hundread years as the prayer origin was not recognised.
\n<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
WHITE SPACE<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
WHITE SPACE<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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\"\"<\/a>
Double-niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019, west Anatolia, early 17th cent., 132 x 172 cm, 1540 knots\/sq dm, Museum of Applied Arts, Budapest, inv. 7.967<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The close relationship between Single- and Double-niche rugs implies that they should be displayed and published the same way<\/a>, with the start of the rug on the top.<\/p>\n

In this way the ascending palmette is pointing up, all the upper part of the design matches with Single-niche rugs and the unresolved part of the vertical border (the truncated cartouche, if any) will be in the lower side.<\/p>\n

Like all ‘Transylvanian’ prayer rugs Single- and Double-niche ones are woven “upside down”.<\/p>\n

WHITE<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
The Budapest Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ is thought to be the finest and earliest example. It is not known where it was sourced, but in conversation, the great Hungarian expert Ferenc Bat\u00e1ri considered the provenience from Transylvanian most probable. The rug was first published (with the central palmette pointing up) in Orientalische Teppiche<\/em> of the K.K. \u00d6sterreichisches Handels-Museum, vol. I-III, 1892-1896 as Plate. 27<\/a>. Then, starting with V\u00e9gh and Layer 1925, Plate 12<\/a>, for almost 100 years, it was consistently published the wrong way. This great example also inspired several fakes by Tuduc<\/a>.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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In the case of the Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ from Skokloster Castle the design is almost symmetrical<\/a> along the horizontal and vertical axis. Arguably the different shades of blue in the upper and lower spandrels could be a way of differentiating the niches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u00a0 WHITE SPACE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Star-and-Cartouche Main Border<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
(L) Cartouche of an early 17th cent. ‘Transylvanian’ rug (R) Detail of the Anhalt carpet, mid 16th cent. Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A common element of all first-period \u2018Transylvanians\u2019 is the star-and-cartouche main border. The distinctive motif inside the cartouche is formed by two confronted split-leaves, usually red on a white ground, joined together to form a \u2018shield\u2019 which overlays scrolling flowers issuing from a central palmette. Similar motifs are found in 16th century Persian carpets or ceramic tiles. The\u00a0star-and-cartouche border lacks a direct prototype among surviving knotted Ottoman carpets but layouts employing stars and cartouches, with floral motives or with Islamic script, are found throughout 16th century Mamluk carpets, Safavid prayer rugs and silk kilims<\/a> and also in Islamic bookbindings<\/a>, miniatures and architecture.<\/p>\n

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WHITE SPACE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Star-and-Star Main Border<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Double-niche<\/a>
Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rug with star only border, first half 17th cent., MET 22.100.90<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WHITE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

WHITE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Among the early examples it should be recorded a variant with less elongated cartouches, looking almost as a star-and-star border.<\/p>\n

The field of the rug shown here is almost symmetrical but in order to differentiate one of the niches the weaver placed a supplementary stripe, like a base line, probably to point the bottom niche.<\/p>\n

The color palette and the minor borders of this example are typical for Ushak area.<\/p>\n

Two Single-niche rugs with star only border, but with large flower and feather leaf spandrels (which are later), survived in Transylvania in the Lutheran churches of Biertan and Blumenau.<\/p>\n

WHITE SPACE<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

Single-niche versus Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ Rugs<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Single-niche<\/a>
Single-niche (MET 22.100.92) versus Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ (CLO, Oct 1996, lot 410)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
– The field of the Single-niche rugs is better planned; all the examples reflect the same design;<\/div>\n
– The upper part of the field of the Double-niche rugs is almost identical to the Single-niche one, while in several cases the lower part seems to be adapted. Note in the CLO example shown here how the weaver was running out of warp and simplified the design of the lower niche;<\/div>\n
– In many Double-niche rugs the weaver subtle marked one of the niches and the design has a clear direction;<\/div>\n
– Single- and ‘directional’ Double-niche ‘Transylvanians’ are all woven ‘upside down’<\/span><\/a> which further confirms that the second type evolved from the prayer format.<\/div>\n
– In any case, given the close relationship between Single- and Double-niche examples they should be displayed and published the same way. This facilitates the understanding of the niche pattern (in the early examples the design is always directional, with the central palmette pointing up) and of the border construction, with the truncated cartouche, if any, always occurring in the lower section of the rug.<\/div>\n
– A few later Double-niche rugs have a decorative cross-panel, but none has an inscribed panel<\/strong>, most probably to complay the Edict of K\u00fctahya.<\/div>\n
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WHITE SPAC<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
WHITE SPAC<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
Dating the Early ‘Transylvanian’ Rugs<\/strong><\/div>\n
WHITE SP<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
\"7<\/a>
1627, Thomas de Keyser, Constantijn Huygens and his Clerk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dating of west Anatolian rugs is supported by the\u00a0inclusion of ‘Transylvanian’ carpets in Dutch paintings.<\/p>\n

Generally only part of the carpet is visible; the carpet is in pristine condition which suggests it was new at the time it was painted.<\/p>\n

The iconic\u00a0star-and-cartouche border is documented after 1620, but usually it is not possible to discern between Single- or Double-niche rugs; but as the rugs invariably are shown on a table it is more likely that those were Double-niche rugs.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The earliest depiction of a ‘Transylvanian’ rug dates from 1620, Portrait of Abraham Grapheus <\/a><\/em>by Cornelius de Vos; this correlates with the period of the Edict of K\u00fctahya (1610).<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The small part of the border and field from the Civic Guards Company of Captain Albert Coenraetsz Burgh<\/em><\/a>, by Werner van den Valckert, of 1625 probably reveals a Single-niche example.<\/p>\n

Three paintings by Thomas de Keyser, made around 1632, show the same star-and-cartouche border and arabesque spandrels<\/a>: Portrait of a Lady<\/em><\/a> now in Berlin, <\/em> The Music Lesson<\/a> <\/em>of Rouen and Portrait of a Gentleman<\/a> <\/em>from Louvre. <\/em>Based on this evidence\u00a0 ‘Transylvanian’ rugs of similar design are ascribed to early 17th century.<\/div>\n
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At a closer look the last two paintings by Thomas de Keyser reveal a rug with paired niches (see simulation<\/a>). No such ‘Transylvanian’ rug has survived today but there are 19th century Turkish prayer rugs displaying the paired niches<\/a> format.<\/div>\n
WHITE SPACE<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
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Later Examples (mid 17th cent.)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

The overall layout of first-period \u2018Transylvanians\u2019 can be found in a few later examples where it is possible to trace the design changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Double-niche ‘Tralsylvanian’ with star-and-cartouche border and arabesque spandrels, mid 17th cent., Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), inv.10970.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The double-niche shown here is carefully executed but the profile of the niche looks stiff and there is a clear tendency to symmetry on both axis. To be noted the filling motifs added by the weaver in the spandrels and in the borders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another rug in a Hungarian private collection<\/a> shows an almost symmetrical design, with central ascending palmette. Given the similarities<\/a> of many details this rug was probably made by the same weaver as the Achdjan-Tabibnia Single niche.<\/p>\n

\n

In the rustic example of Black Church inv. 257<\/a> the design becomes angular, the motifs are misunderstood or lost but the overall pattern is still there.<\/p>\n

By mid 17th century the design changed: the arabesque spandrels have been substituted by the large rosette and feathery leaves while the star-and-cartouche border became a cartouche only border. The demand for such rugs was probably high and the weavers made some changes in order to weave faster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

WHITE SPACE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Small-medallion Ushaks versus Double-niche ‘Transylvanians’<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\"Tappeto293\"<\/a>
Small Medallion Ushak versus Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
\n

For long time the Small-medallion Ushaks have been considered the forerunners of the Double-niche ‘Transylvanian’ rugs.<\/p>\n

Despite the similar layout there are major differences between the two groups which do not support this hypothesis.<\/p>\n

\n
– According to Walter Denny\u00a0 Small-medallion Ushaks have been erroneusly termed “double-ended prayer rugs”<\/strong>; see The Classical in Traditionin Anatolian Carpets<\/em>, caption to pl. 22, p.83.<\/div>\n
In fact the lay out of the Small-medallion Ushaks derives from book-binding, where the spandrels are quarter medallions, while in ‘Transylvanian’ rugs they reflect the cusp of a mihrab.<\/div>\n
Additionally:<\/div>\n
– the main borders are different; no early ‘Transylvanian’ has borders similar to those seen in Ushak rugs; no ushak rug shows the distinctive star-and-cartouche border.<\/div>\n
– the trefoil reciprocal minor borders of early ‘Transylvanian’ rugs are never found in Ushaks;<\/div>\n
– the profile of the niche in small-medallion Ushaks has often the shape of a ‘pelt’;\u00a0 this does not occur in ‘Transylvanians’;<\/div>\n
– the spandrels of small-medallion Ushaks often show cloudband motifs which are never recorded in ‘Transylvanians’;<\/div>\n
– the Small-medallion Ushaks have a centralised design while in most cases the field decoration of the early ‘Transylvanians’ is directional;<\/div>\n
– the hanging ornaments of the Small-medallion Ushaks are probably amulets while in ‘Transylvanian’ rugs are mosque lamps (wrongly called vases);<\/div>\n
– directional Ushaks<\/a> are not woven ‘upside down’.<\/div>\n
– there is no early ‘Transylvanian’ rug showing the small Ushak medallion.<\/div>\n
\n

Most probably the weavers in Ushak (which was in K\u00fctahya Sanjak) observed the of the 1610 Edict: it’s worth mentioning that small-medallion Ushaks (with double-niche layout) are the largest surviving 16th century Anatolian rug group while there are very few (about a handful) of prayer rugs. (with one niche only).<\/p>\n

For a complete survey of the Small-Ushak group we suggest to vistit John Taylor’s carpet blog, http:\/\/www.rugtracker.com\/2015\/09\/ushakistan.html (plates 157-220).<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

WHITE SPAC<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

Conclusions<\/strong><\/p>\n

The study of the early examples sheds light on how the ‘Transylvanian’ design came into being. The Single-niche\u00a0‘Transylvanian’ probably descend from a lost prototype based on the Ottoman court style of the second half of the 16th century. The similarities with the inner stained glass windows as those found in some of the mosques built by Sinan support this theory.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
A number of facts suggests that the Double-niche design developed from the Single-niche format due to regulations regarding the carpets meant for export. The Double-niche format was borrowed from small-medallion Ushaks or from book-binding in order to ostensibly obey such regulations.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
In many cases the design of Double-niche ‘Transylvanians’ is directional as the weaver marked one of the niches. The direction of weaving is consistently upside-down. This further suggests the close relation between\u00a0Single- and Double-niche ‘Transylvanians’; for this reason the two groups\u00a0 should be displayed and published the same way (pile up, against the direction of wave).<\/div>\n
The number of early Single- and Double-niche rugs is almost the same, which suggests that for some time they co-existed. In one case we have a Single- and a Double-niche rug clearly made by the same weavers<\/a>.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Later on the Double-niche format became very popular and the Single-niche one was almost abandoned. There are less than half a dozen Single-niche ‘Transylvanians’ with large flowerhead spandrels while there are over two hundred Double-niche\u00a0‘Transylvanians’ with this new type of spandrels.<\/div>\n
In many cases there is a clear (or sometimes subtle) differentiation of one niche, which is an echo of the prayer format.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

In a next article we will discuss the composition changes of Second Period Double-niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019 rugs<\/strong>, woven after mid 17th century, when this became one of the most successful patterns in western Anatolia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After the 100th anniversary of the great Budapest exhibition of 1914, when the ‘Transylvanian’ rugs were brought to the attention of the wider public, we had a fresh look at this fascinating and controversial group. According the design they can be divided in 4 main subgroups: Single- and Double-niche rugs (which should be discussed together), […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[63,65,64,62,11],"class_list":["post-2425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-updates-2010","tag-anatolian-prayer-rugs","tag-antique-prayer-rugs","tag-ottoman-prayer-rugs","tag-single-niche-transylvanian-rugs","tag-transylvanian-rugs"],"yoast_head":"\nFirst-period Single and Double-Niche \u2018Transylvanian\u2019 Rugs - 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