Page 219 - The Age of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent

151. Çatma fragment, second half sixteenth century (Washington,
The Textile Museum, 1.55)

Reconstruction, 151

colors of pile in addition to gold and silver, it represents a length at minimum 312 centimeters (10 feet 2% inches) or
rare and sumptuous type of velvet used in the court. 83 430 centimeters (14 feet 1V4 inches). 84
The composition of another piece (151) recalls that of me- The central medallion with pendants contains a multi-
dallion rugs, with additional half medallions on the sides, petaled blossom framed by roundels and encircled by a lobed
creating an ogival pattern in the field. This voided velvet, scroll that bears small trefoils alternating with large tulips;
woven in dark ruby red, ivory, and gold, is a fragment of a carnations appear between the tulips and hyacinths fill the
larger fabric. It was originally constructed of two loom pendants. The motifs are rendered in red with touches of gold
widths, with the missing half composed as the mirror image on an ivory ground. The same scheme is followed in the
of the existing piece; the complete piece most likely con- quarter medallions on the corners and the half medallions on
tained at least two or three central medallions, making its the sides; these have rosebuds and blossoms with serrated

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