Object Description
Pure Silk Herekhe Accent Rug
1.50 x 1.10 m
Anatolia, the western region of Turkey, has a long-standing rug-weaving tradition, dating at least as far back as the 13th Century. As the explorer Marco Polo once wrote, ‘Here they make the most beautiful silks and carpets, and in the most beautiful colours.’ These carpets, among the first to reach the European market in the Early Modern era, can be spotted in many of the paintings of the Old Masters, including those of Holbein, Vermeer, and Reubens.
Of all Anatolian silk carpets, Herekhe weavings – no longer produced, and now much sought after by collectors and designers alike – are undoubtedly the finest, and this piece is a fine example. Handwoven in pure, high-grade silk, it features a rare Polonaise design, drawing from Classical Persian carpets of the Safavid era. Its vegetable dyed colours include tones of terracotta red, muted blues and sage green.
Retained in very good condition for everyday use, with its borders preserved on all sides.
A beautiful accent rug, which would lend itself to a stylish setting.