Nazarlık and Çengel Gallery · Collection catalogue

Nazarlık 03

Protective hanging · Anatolia

Full view of the dark grey felt protective hanging with cowrie motifs, central mirror and long thread-wrapped tassel cords. — Object 03 · Frontal view Select to view full-size photograph

Photographic details

Detail of the dark felt head, with cowrie-shell designs, a brass lattice ornament, coloured buttons and beaded details. — Upper felt panel · Cowries, buttons and metal fittings

Detail of the lower woven geometric band and long thread-wrapped hanging cords and tassels. — Lower band · Geometric weaving and wrapped tassels

Catalogue record

Object: 03 · Protective textile hanging.
Dimensions: 112 × 43 cm (length × width)
Acquisition: Online auction, probably c. 2024.
Dating: Possibly early 20th century, perhaps 1930s: collector’s estimate only.

Materials

Grey felt, fabric edging and handwoven geometric cotton band.
Cowries, glass seed beads, wood, glass/plastic/mother-of-pearl and military-style buttons.
Mirror, coins (one perhaps Ottoman/silver), metal appliqués, fragments of jewellery/brooches and a comb; wool tassels.

Construction And Techniques

Hand-sewn felt body with fabric border; alternating backless cowries and buttons around perimeter.
Central mirror with radiating rows of cowries and diagonal button rows.
Lower geometric band carries long lengths of wool bound repeatedly with coloured yarn and terminating in tassels.
Side tassels fixed with buttons; textile-covered projecting arms have anemone-like ends.

Decorative Features And Motifs

Cross-like cowrie axes around mirror; diagonal button branches ending in cowrie/button flowers.
Seed-bead diamond/triangular shapes and small flowers; two seed-bead crescent moons below mirror.
Upper flower-like ornament incorporating a metal appliqué; broad use of found jewellery components.

Condition And Alterations

Strongly faded, with surface dirt and wear; reverse suggests brighter original purple, red and pink.
Current palette includes saffron, terracotta, fawn, delicate grey and salmon pink.

Motif Research And Cultural Comparisons

Crescent (hilal), flower (çiçek), diamond/lozenge (baklava) and cross-like (haç) are descriptive parallels.
Some floral forms in Anatolian weaving are associated with abundance; symbolic meanings should not be assumed for this example [1, 2].

Provenance And Research Notes

Coin and military-button close-ups may help refine chronology.