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Lot 79

An Ottoman embroidered velvet namazlik Prayer Cloth
Turkey, late 19th-early 20th Century

8 October 2013, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

£4,000 - £6,000

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An Ottoman embroidered velvet namazlik Prayer Cloth
Turkey, late 19th-early 20th Century

dark red velvet formed of two panels sewn together with applied trim band either end, embroidered in the dival style with metallic-wrapped thread, cotton and sequins
205cm x 108cm

Footnotes

Provenance:
Private Greek Collection.

Dival embroidery was done either in workshops, or by professional embroiderers at home. It is sometimes referred to as maras isi after the town of Maras in southeastern Turkey where embroiderers excelled in this type of work. This embroidery required large equipment and strength to punch holes for the threaded needle through the thick fabric. Becasue of this, they were produced by professionals and bought in the bazaars, and only brought out on special occasions. (S. Krody, Flowers of Silk and Gold, Merrell Publishers Limited, Washington, 2000, chapter 27, nos. 22, 42, 56)

Additional information