Because they were woven as non-commercial, strictly utilitarian objects, there are very few truly old yastiks. Flat weave yastiks such as this one are extremely rare.

The field of this piece has a pleasing design symmetry and compositional balance. There are elongated panels or saf leaves, each containing reciprocal ‘animal heads’.  These motifs are very traditional.

There are blue and yellow diamonds in an ‘infinite repeat’ format. Although this weaving is of considerable age, the colors are strong and deeply saturated.  All the colors are from natural dye sources.

Condition:  The yastik is mounted on heavy linen.  There is wear, primarily in the border areas.

I originally came upon this piece in the late 1990’s.  It was on the wall of a home in Istanbul. I wanted to buy it.  The owner did not want to sell. Some years later the owner contacted me and wanted to sell. Unfortunately, the sale price was, for me, prohibitive.

It was eventually purchased by a European dealer who, in need of capital, sold it to me at a price substantively below the original asking price.

I am able to pass the savings on to you.