Exceptional Melas / circa 1800 / Size: 1.76 x 1.40 cm. After spending a fair amount of time yesterday going thru all five of the catalogues printed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture on the Vakiflar pieces, i have come to the conclusion that this rug belongs to the group of Melas', and there are many there, that are considered 18th century. i personally think most of them are a bit later, including this one; but 200 years old and to be completely (99.9%) original is nothing to scoff at! One might consider it "busy", but then one would be missing the point. The multiple border complex is precisely and elegantly drawn, and uses minute background shadings of the field to create subtle changes and a certain sense of freedom in a highly stylized structure. The rug is not stiff at all but very creative and flowing. Also, the borders serve to effect a perfect counterpoint to the simple oblong center, almost as a maze leads you thru a complex pathway to arrive at a serene garden in the center. The archaic opposing serpentine (or animal), designs in the oblong can be traced back thru Byzantine art to early metal work of the Greeks and even perhaps the Celts, who also passed thru this area (Mugla) of sw Anatolia more than 2000 years earlier..... The Rug is almost completely original, no re-piling, fantastic weave and great weight to the handle. Also, 95% original selvedge and intact kelim ends. Colors are also exactly what one is looking for in a Melas from this period. If anyone has been paying attention they would have noticed that good Melas' have been snapped up well above the reserves during the last few auction cycles in ny, and have been one of the only groups to consistently be sold during this period. It's a great example, and the more i study it the more it opens up and reveals the old language .......Of note, observe the meandering gold trellis vine between the two main borders, and see the small leaves on either side of the scrolling gold strip, you will notice that they create a perfect small Elibelindi ("mother goddess") in the blue negative space that is the background for the golden vine.....The weaver of this rug was an exceptional artist.. ....are there any doubts?!...;-))