Pillow. Malatya. Southeastern Anatolia. Circa 1870. 76 X 47 Cm
Malatya Yastik
Malatya, the home of the finest antique Kurdish textiles
Attributed to Malatya, in southeastern Anatolia, this yastik bears witness to the region’s remarkable textile tradition. To the touch, its very soft, almost silky wool reveals a particularly careful selection of materials. It gives the velvet a sparkling presence and a depth of color that shifts with the light and the viewer’s gaze.
A central field resembling a niche
On the knotted side, a shape evoking a niche—accented by stepped contours—organizes the central field. Geometric medallions follow one another along a vertical axis, surrounded by stylized motifs. Without attributing any specific meaning to them, I see in them a composition with an architectural and protective quality.
The main border echoes this geometric and botanical vocabulary, energetically framing the field.
A palette of reds and indigo
Red dominates, ranging from garnet to burgundy, with shades of terracotta and rust on the reverse. Indigo blue, at times almost black, contrasts with orange-tinged ochre and ivory. On the front, the hues stand out clearly; on the back, they intertwine. The wool lends them a subtle sheen that responds to changes in light.
A Back of Its Own
The back deserves as much attention as the front. It is rare for the back of a yastik to receive such care: most often, it is simply woven, sometimes in horizontal bands that echo the colors of the front.
Here, the extremely fine weave features a design that appears to be embroidered into the fabric. Elongated diamonds and geometric motifs echo one another against the red background, creating a rhythmic and vibrant composition.
A few areas where the pile is missing are visible on the front.
Yastik — Malatya, southeastern Anatolia
Mixed media, wool on wool
Plant-based dyes
Circa 1870
Very good condition
DIM: 76 x 47 cm
Choosing an antique rug or textile is often a matter of serendipity.
If one of our pieces catches your eye, or if you’d like more information or photos, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.
Laurent Consul
Beauty of Kilims
06 42 61 73 46
Malatya, the home of the finest antique Kurdish textiles
Attributed to Malatya, in southeastern Anatolia, this yastik bears witness to the region’s remarkable textile tradition. To the touch, its very soft, almost silky wool reveals a particularly careful selection of materials. It gives the velvet a sparkling presence and a depth of color that shifts with the light and the viewer’s gaze.
A central field resembling a niche
On the knotted side, a shape evoking a niche—accented by stepped contours—organizes the central field. Geometric medallions follow one another along a vertical axis, surrounded by stylized motifs. Without attributing any specific meaning to them, I see in them a composition with an architectural and protective quality.
The main border echoes this geometric and botanical vocabulary, energetically framing the field.
A palette of reds and indigo
Red dominates, ranging from garnet to burgundy, with shades of terracotta and rust on the reverse. Indigo blue, at times almost black, contrasts with orange-tinged ochre and ivory. On the front, the hues stand out clearly; on the back, they intertwine. The wool lends them a subtle sheen that responds to changes in light.
A Back of Its Own
The back deserves as much attention as the front. It is rare for the back of a yastik to receive such care: most often, it is simply woven, sometimes in horizontal bands that echo the colors of the front.
Here, the extremely fine weave features a design that appears to be embroidered into the fabric. Elongated diamonds and geometric motifs echo one another against the red background, creating a rhythmic and vibrant composition.
A few areas where the pile is missing are visible on the front.
Yastik — Malatya, southeastern Anatolia
Mixed media, wool on wool
Plant-based dyes
Circa 1870
Very good condition
DIM: 76 x 47 cm
Choosing an antique rug or textile is often a matter of serendipity.
If one of our pieces catches your eye, or if you’d like more information or photos, I’d be happy to discuss it with you.
Laurent Consul
Beauty of Kilims
06 42 61 73 46
480 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Orientalism
Condition: Good condition
Material: Wool
Length: 76 cm
Width: 47 cm
Reference (ID): 1836367
Availability: In stock
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