Carpet
Unknown Artist
late 18th century
Medium
Wool; symmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions
L. 56 in. (142.2 cm) W. 42 in. (106.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Rugs
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift from the Collection of Hillary Black Dumas and Dr. D. Gilbert Dumas, 2009
Accession Number
2009.458.12
Art Historical Context
This exquisite wool carpet, woven in the late 18th century, exemplifies masterful textile traditions of Islamic art. Measuring 56 by 42 inches, its symmetrically knotted pile—a technique known as the Turkish knot—creates a durable, densely textured surface ideal for both practical use and aesthetic display. Common in rugs from regions like Anatolia or the Caucasus during the Ottoman era, this knotting method allows for intricate patterns and vibrant colors that have endured for centuries. In the Islamic world of the late 1700s, carpets held profound cultural significance, adorning homes, mosq...