Posted by Michael Wendorf on February 15, 1999 at 19:28:55:
In Reply to: Re: Rug4 posted by Wendel Swan on February 14, 1999 at 14:02:15:
: It has been over two years since I saw this rug, but I very much doubt that it could be contemporary - if that is your suggestion.
: Many of Aram's rugs have been in the family for a long time. Someone could convince me that the rug is anywhere from 70 to 120 years old. There is really very little with which to compare it.
: It didn't seem to have the handle of a Turkish rug nor any design that I specifically associate with Turkey. However, there are many pieces from Northwest Persia, the Southern Caucasus and Eastern Turkey that defy precise identification. Your observation about similar designs coming from around Konya is interesting, but it just doesn't sound right to me.
: Wendel
Dear Daniel, Wendel and fellow Ruggies:
I recall very well handling this rug with Wendel in Philadelphia. My attention was first drawn to it by John Collins who told me "Hey Mike, there's a really cool sauj bulagh over at Aram's." John thought it was Kurdish and from the sauj bulaugh area. The wefting and handle did not match.
I can only relate that this was one of those rugs that you wanted to fit into whatever you were collecting. Wendel wanted it to be a Shahsevan piled rug, for example. In the end the rug defied everyone's
efforts and went unclaimed. I'll be interested to learn if we can sort it out through this Salon. Heck, why not Zakatala?
Thanks for the memories. Michael W.