A Mongol Noblewoman’s Silk Guguguan Crown Yuan Dynasty, 13th c. AD. Exhibited: China National Silk Museum, Hangzhou, Sept. 20 – Nov. 23, 2005

A RTHUR L EEPER A SIAN A RT

BYAPPOINTMENT ; 208 S AN R AFAEL A VENUE , B ELVEDERE , CA 94920 USA T EL (415) 435 6165 • M OBILE (415) 290 3043 • F AX (415) 435 1382 • aleeper@earthlink.net

26 I HALI 144
ANATOLIAN RUGS | DRAGONS IN SAN FRANCISCO INDONESIAN TEXTILES | ACOR 8 EXHIBITIONS

PREVIEW

Taking Textiles Seriously

On 21 January 2006 the Arthur Ross Gallery at the University of Pennsylvania is set to open its third major exhibition in recent years focusing on a textile or rug related theme.

For a few years it seemed as though rug and textile exhibitions in Philadelphia had peaked with the ICOC in 1996. However, over the last three years the Arthur Ross Gallery has revived local interest in this area, firstly with exhibitions focused on Turkmen rugs from local collections in 2004 and last year ‘Textiles from the Burma Hills’, some of which feature in David and Barbara Fraser’s new publication Mantles of Meritreviewed this issue. This year the galleries focus their attention on the weaving cultures of Turkey in ‘Antique Anatolian Carpets: Masterpieces from Philadelphia Area Collections’. Dennis Dodds, an alumnus of the university, is the guest curator and a number of rugs from his collection feature in the show, including the east Anatolian rug (right), previously seen by

Philadelphia residents in ‘Highstyle to Homestyle’ at the Woodmere Art Museums during the 8th ICOC. Originally from eastern Anatolia this rug represents the western migration of a design seen in 18th century classical Caucasian carpets (see Ellis Oriental Carpets in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, pl.45) and in later weavings from Azerbaijan assigned variously to Karabagh, the Shahsavan and Kurdish weavers. The Caucasian inspired field is surrounded by truly Anatolian borders typical of rugs from the Konya region. The mixture of Caucasian, Azerbaijani, Kurdish and Anatolian elements seen in this rug well illustrate one of the stated aims of the exhibition: exploring the historic legacy of established weaving traditions in Anatolia. The selection of pieces will provide evidence of distinctive styles that developed in certain regions. Kilim weaving in central Anatolia is represented by this eye-dazzling Konya region kilim (left) also from the Dodds collection. The design and use of prayer rugs will be illustrated by the inclusion of a large group of these rugs, which will serve to highlight the relationships between design and Islamic architectural elements. Indeed on 1 February, the peripatetic Dr. Walter B. Denny, Professor of Art History and Adjunct Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Massachusetts, will give a lecture on the theme entitled ‘From the Prayer Rug to the Medallion Carpet: Architectural Themes and Functions in Islamic Carpets.’ 21 January – 2 April 2006

A FLIGHT OF DRAGONS Over the last few years, the world-class displays of Chinese and Xinjiang material presented by Sandra Whitman at her 361 Oak Street gallery, coinciding with the two Caskey Lees’ San Francisco fairs, have been one of the highlights of this busy period. This year she has again chosen to hold an exhibition in her gallery to coincide with the fairs. ‘Heavenly Dragons’ will run for a month and consists of approximately 35 rugs and 25 textiles, dating from 1368 (early Ming dynasty) through to the Republic Period (from 1912). Sandra is particularly pleased to have a group of six pillar carpetseach decorated with a single long dragon, of which the earliest dates to the 17th century (late Ming), with two more dating from the Kangxi period (1665-1721). The textiles will include this Ming example from circa 1600 (right). There will be an open house on 10 February 2006 from 5-9pm, during which Michael Franses will sign copies of the recently published catalogue to the Cologne exhibition, Classical Chinese Carpets in Western Collections. 2 February – 2 March 2006

HALI 144 I 27