NELLIE BALLARD WHITE

COLLECTION OF

ORIENTAL RUGS

NINETEEN Hu1 DRED A ro THIRTY-T HREE

DESCRIPTIVE PAMPHLET OF AN EXHIBITION OF

ORIENTAL RUGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF

NELLIE BALLARD WHITE EXH IBITED IN THE

ORIENTAL GALLERIES OF THE ART INSTITUTE

MARCH 28 TO MAY 28, 1933

THE A RT INSTIT UTE OF CHICAGO

MCMXXX lll

~ersian ~roup

SILK RUG OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia)

Ghiordes Knot, 325-375 to the sq. in. (4 ft. 8 in. by 4 ft. 6 in.)

No. I

This rug scintillates and radiates like a gem due to the clarity and richness of color tones. Former! y the James F. Ballard Collection; at present the ellie Ballard White Collec tion. Exhibited: Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, 1923; The 'John Herron drt Institute, Indianapolis, 1924.

JOSHAGHAN RUG OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY . (Central Persia)

Sehna Knot, 64-120 to sq . in. (4 ft. 4 in. by 5 ft . 10 in .)

No. 2

Named after a city in Central Persia. The Joshaghan Rug is one of the rarest and best of Persian weaves. This rug is unusual, i.n that the ends of the field give the impression of a double-arch. The design, color and tone of the rug are characteristic of this type. Formerly the James F. Ballard Collection; at present the Tellie Ballard White Collec tion .

VASE CARPET OF THE SIXTEENTH CE T URY. (Persia)

Sehna Knot, 407 to the sq. in. (JI ft. 3Yz in. by 4 ft. 10 in.)

o. 3

This rug belongs to a group of Persian Carpets to which the nam e "Vase" Carpet has been given, on account of the frequent introduction of bulbous flower vases. These rugs were also called Shah Abbas carpets,. as some of them were woven during the time of his reign, from 1586 to 1628. This rug was formerly in the collection of Dr. Frederich Sarre of Berlin", later the James F. Ballard Collection and at present the Nellie Bal lard White Collection .

. '\.NIMAL CARPET OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia)

Sehna Knot, 450-475 to the sq. in . (6 ft. IOYz in. by 4 ft. 6 in.)

No. 4

The design is as lavish and ye t ful l motivated as the color scheme, consisting of floral palmettes, the figures of stag, doe and tiger, the eight-pointed star with its floral representation, and the cloud-band, which became so prominent a feature in the design of Sixteenth Century rugs. The difference between this rug and its companion piece is in the border, which is made up of arabesques, alternating with flower forms interspersed with a leaf and vine pattern. Formerly in a French Collection; at present the Nellie Ball ard White Collection .

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.Jjersian ~roup

ANIMAL CARPET OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia)

(Sehna Knot, 1-50-475 to the sq . in.) (7 ft. 172 in . by 1- ft . 6 in.)

No. 5

The design of this rug is the same as its companion piece, except the border which consists of palmettes, a floral interpretation of the eight-poi nted star, vi nes and smaller flowers in shades of blue, red and green on a back-ground of old ivory. Formerly in a French Collection; at present, the Nellie Ball ard White Collection.

ISPAH AN (FLORAL) SIXTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia)

Sehna Knot, 1-00-1-25 to the sq. in . (5 ft. 8~ in. by 1- ft. 2~ in.)

No. 6

With a setting of luxuriant blossoms interspersed with palmettes, vines, leaves and rosettes, combined with remarkable color atmosphere and marvelous texture, places this rug among the gems of Persian weaving of the Sixteenth Century. 'Formerly in a French Collection; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection.

ANIMAL H UNTING CARPET OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia) No. 7

Sehna Knot, 1-00-1-50 to the sq. in. (5ft. 10% in. by 1-ft. 3 in.)

The field of this rug is predominately red, with suggestions of a rare blue and a more ex tensive use of the sacred green. The design in the fi eld consists of animal fi gures, which include the stag and the tiger, and representations of a lion pouncing on a wild buffalo. Formerly in a French Collection; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection.

GARDEN CA RPET OF THE E IGHTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia)

Sehna Knot, 200-250 to sq. in. (7 ft. by 4 ft. 272 in. )

No. 8

The pattern represents a Persian garden divided into sections, with indi-vidual flower forms in each section, with a running vi ne pattern which sep-arates the sec tions. The basic color of the rug is a rich, soft dark blue. Formerly the James F. Ballard Collection; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection . Exhibited: ]ohn Herron drt I nstitute, Indianapolis, 1924.

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l9ersian ~roup

HORSE TRAPPING OF THE SI XTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia) No. 9

This piece has large floral designs surrounded by smaller fl owers and leaves, done in gold thread on a background of exqui si te light blue Genoese cu t velvet. T he border consists of a cartouche alternating with a pal mette. Former! y the J ames F . Ballard Collection; at present the ellie Ball ard White Collection. Exhibited : Carnegie Institute, Pittsbu1·gh, 1923; The 'John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, 1924.

MI A KHA I OR SHAH ABBAS CARPET. (Persia)

Sehna Knot, 200-240 to the sq. in. (18ft. JOY2 in. by 6ft. 7% in.)

o. 10

Carpets of this t ype are also known as Shah Abbas or simpl y as Persian. They have a soft lustrous pile of medium length with an intricate design of palmettes, blossoms and fl oral interpretations of the eight-poi nted star. It has intense color tones in light and dark blue, vivid reds and yellow, giv ing it great depth and richness. l<ormerl y the Jam es F. Bal lard Collection; at present the ellie Ball'ard White Collection. Exhibited : Metropolitan Museurn of drt, New York, 1921; Carnegie Insti-tute, Pittsburgh, 1923; 'John Herron Art I nstitute, I ndianapolis, 1924.

BIJAR R UG OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. (Persia)

Sehna Knot, 56-100 to sq. in. (9 ft . 1% in. by 4 ft . 4% in.)

No. 11

This rug has the H erati pattern, composed of a floral rosette with a leaf or fish pattern on either side with various fl ower forms th roughout the field. l ti s ve rv striking, as it has such intense color tones which will mellow with age. Formerly the James F. Ballard Collection; a t present the Nellie Ballard White Collection. Exhibited : Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsburgh, 1923; The 'John Herron Art Institute, I ndianapolis, 1924.

HER AT CARPET OF THE SEVE TEENTH CENTURY. (Persia) o. 12

Sehna Knot, 121 to the sq. in . (JI ft. 6 in. by 5ft . 6 in.)

This rug has great appeal because of the striki ng and harmonious colors which produce a remarkable luminosity, giving it the appearance of strength and great depth due to color contras t , making it an outstanding example of t he H erati Group. Formerl y the James F. Ball ard Collection; at present the elli e Ballard White Collec tion.

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~tn~ian ~roup

K BA RUG OF THE SIXTEENTH CENT RY. (Persia)

(9 ft. 7 in. by 5 ft. 5 in.) The strength and power of expressio n, the wonderful clarity of color tones, together with the splendid composite hand ling of designs, ma ke this a gem among Kubas; a reli c o f the time when artistic weav ing attained its greates t p1:rfectio n, during the Sixteenth Century. Formerl y the Jam es F. Ball ard Collection; now the ellie Ballard W hite Collec tion. Exhib ited : Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsbuigh, 1923; T he 'John H erron /Jn Institu te, Indianapolis, 192J.

JSPAH A1 FRAGMENT OF THE SJXTEE TH CENT RY. (Persia) Sehna Knot, 361- sq. in.

o. 1-t

This littl e fragment is a rare example of the weaver's art of the Sixteenth Century. Th e design consists of cypress trees, altern ati ng with the "Tree oi Life" pattern, plants and oth er small er fl owers . The border has large fl oral palm ettes with fl owers in t he center alternati ng with a smaller pal-mette, from which four fl owers resembling t he lris radiate . Formerly the Jam es F. Ballard Collection; at present t he Nelli e Ball a rd -\\'h ite Collection.

~biorbts ~roup

GHl ORD F PRAYFR Rl lG OF TH F. El GHTE ENTH CF T URY. (Asia Minor) o. 15

Ghiordes Knot, 198-220 to the sq . in; 18-20 vert.; I I ho1·. (./ft . .j. in. by .j. ft. 2 in .)

. oft ric h colors combin ed with a lovely mosaic-like pattern exq ui site in every cletail makes thi s an outs tand ing rug in t he G hiordes Group. Form riv t he Tam es F. Ball ard Coll ection; now t he Nell ie Ballard \Yhite Collec tion. · F xhi bi ted: Pennsylua11ia Yi us mm, Philadelphia, 1919; The Cleveland Museum of / /rt, 1919; Carn egie I nstitute, Pittsbu1gh, 1923; T he Herron /I.rt r nstitute, I ndia11apolis) 192-1-.

GHIORDF.S PRAYER RUG OF THE F.VE TFFNTH CENT RY. (Asia Mi nor) Ghiordes A:11ot, 120-1-1-0 to sq . in.

No. 16

( 5 ft. 7 i II. V)' -/-ft. 2 i The prayer niche is a deep cream color, and is outlined with blu e, ~1ellow and re lines which form a pitched arch. There is a narrow panel above t he spandrel wi th a dark blue ground and a n inte resting fl oral palm ette border, which makes t hi s a ver~1 interes ting ru g be longing to thi s group. Formerh· th e .l ames F. Ballard Collection; at present th e Nellie Ballard 'v\'h ite Coll ection. Exhibited: Carn egie Iwtitute, Pi1tsb111 gh, 1923; Th e Jo/111 Herro11 .1rt r nstit11te, I11dia11apolis ) 192-1-.

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~biorbes ~roup

GHIORDES PRAYER R U G OF THE EIGHTEENTH CE TURY. (Asia 1inor) No. 17

Ghioi·des Knot, 15./--165 to the sq. in. (5ft. JI in. by ./- ft .)

T his rug is unu sual because of the use o f orange tones in t he main border, together with the appearan ce o f a Lion's mask in the alternatin g med all ions, wh ich is seldom seen in th e Ghiordes Group. Formerl y t he James F. Ballard Col lec tion; at present the ell ie Ballard White Coll ection. Exhibited: Caniegie I nstitute, Pittsburgh, 1923; The ]ohn Herron As t Institute, I ndianapolis, 1924.

GHIORDES PR.'\ YER R UG OF THE SEVE T EENTH CF T URY. (.'\ sia fin or) No. 18

Ghiordes Knot , 216-2.J.O to the sq. in. (6ft . 8 iii. by./- ft . 3 in. )

T he Mosa ic-like pattern formin g an intri cate des ign, togeth er with th e light weight and thinn ess of th is rug, make it a rema rkable exampl e of a fin e G h iordes weave. Form er] y the Jam es F. Bal 1 ard Collection; at present t he el li e Ball ard White Collection. Ex hi bi ted: Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsbuigh, 1923; The 'John Herron //rt I nstitute, b1dia11apo/is , 192./- .

G H IO RDF.S PR.'\ YE R RL G OF THF. SF.\" F.NTFFNTH CENTURY. · (Asia i\ linor) To. 19

Ghiordes Knot, 1./-0-160 lo the sq . in . (6.ft. 5V2 in . by ./- ft. 5% in. )

Both upper and lower panels are a n exqui site fl oral inspiration. \Yater motif su rrou nds th e narrow border of pomegranates, whil e the main one is of th e old conventi onal po megranate tree and leaf form. The two do min a ting colors are deep, ri ch, lustrous blues and reds with lines of li ght green. Formerl y from the coll ec tio n of a Turki sh Nobleman, later the J ames F. Ballard Coll ec ti on and at present, th e elli e Ballard White Collection. Exhib ited: J\/fetropolitan Museum of /li·t, New York, 1921; Carnegie l nsti-l1tle, Pi11s/m1gh, 1923; ]aim Herron /Ir/ I nstitute, l11dianapolis, 192./-.

GHIORDF. DF MTRD TT PRAYER R UG . (Asi a Mi nor) . No. 20

Ghiordes Knot (5ft . V2 in. by 3ft . .J.Y2 in. )

T his is a verv unu sual G hi ordes Prayer Rug, with t he " Tree of Life" motive in t he center fi eld representing th e story o f Adam and Eve. The border consis ts of Lan celot lea ves, embl ematic of the Stairs to Heaven. Form erl y in th e Collection of an Italian Nobleman; at present t he N elli e Ballard W hite Coll ec tion.

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JLabik ~roup

LADIK PRAYER R UG OF THE EIGHTEENTH CE TURY. (Asia Minor) Ghiordes Knot, 64-J J 2 to the sq. in . No. 21

(6ft . by 3ft. JO in.) This rug is a splendid example of the Ladik weave, and is also known as a Marriage rug because of the pomegranate stalks employed in the lower spandrel. The colors are rich, harmonious, and beautifull y blended. Formerly in the Collection of W. D . E llwanger ; later the James F . Ballard Collection and at present, the ellie Ball ard White Collec tion. Exhibited : Pennsy lvania lvluseum, Philadelphia, J9J9; Metropolitan Muse-um of Art, New York, J92J; Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, J923; The 'John Herron Institute, Indianapolis , J924.

LADIK RUG OF THE E IGHTEENTH CE T UR Y. (Asia Mi nor) No. 22

Ghiordes K not, 70 to the sq. in.; JO vert.; 7 hor. (5ft . JJYz, in. by 3ft. 91/i, in .)

The prayer ni che in this rug has an unusuall y beautiful yellow field with doub le hook motif in the spandrel. T he mai n border is composed of the Rhodian lil y and rosette motifs which appear quite frequ entl y in Ladik rugs. Formerl y the James F. Ball ard Collec tion; a t present the Nell ie Ballard White Collection. Exhibited : Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsbu1gh, J923; The 'John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, J924.

LADIK PRAYER R UG OF THE EIGHTEENTH CE T URY . (Asia M inor) :\lo. 23

Ghio1·des Knot, 99 to the sq. in.; J J vert.; 9 hor. (6ft. 2 in . by 3ft. 71/i, in.)

This rug has an elaborate mod ification of a mosque lamp in the field with ewers at the ends of the three horizontal arm s, and at the intersec tions of the a rms are rectangles enclosing rosettes. The border is composed of dai nty fl ower forms. Formerl y the J ames F . Ball ard Collec tion; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection. Exhibited: Carnegie Institute, Pittsbu1gh, J923; The 'John He1-ron Art Institute, Indianapolis, J924.

LADIK PRAYER R UG OF THE E IGHTEENTH CENTURY. (Asia Mi nor) No. 24

Ghiordes Knot , JJ2 to the sq. in .; J4 vert .; 8 (5 ft. 6 in. by 3 ft . 6% in .)

In the spandrel is a highl y conventionalized design known as the H erat i pattern, toge ther with the ewers and small figures, maki ng thi s an interest-ing rug of the Ladik group . Formerl y the J ames F . Ballard Collect ion; now the Nellie Ballard White Collec tion. Exhibited: Pennsylvania lvfuseum, Philadelphia, J9J9; Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsburgh, J923; The 'John Herron , frt I nstitute, l ndia11apolis, J924.

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1!.abih ~roup

LADIK PRAYER RUG OF THE EIGHTEE TH CENTURY. (Asia Minor)

Ghiordes Knot, 96 to sq. in. (6ft . 6 in. by 3ft. 972 in.)

No. 25

T he dark red fi eld representi ng the prayer niche is ou tl ined in green and arched, with zig-zag lines representing an arch. T he main border has an Arabic design of unusual strength of character, with a geometrical design resembling a vine with latch hook pat tern alternati ng at intervals. Formerl y the J ames F. Ballard Collection; at present the ellie Ballard White Collection. Exhi bi ted : Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsburgh, J923, The ]ohn Herron Ar·t Institute, Indianapolis, J924.

lf\oula ~roup

KOULA PRAYER RUG OF THE E IGHTEENTH CENTURY. (Asia Minor) No. 26

Ghiordes Knot, 49-64 to the sq. in. (5 ft. 9 in. by 3 ft. JO in. )

The seven narrow stripes, together with the two-column prayer arch and. spandrels between the columns, make thi s a very interes ting rug belonging to the Koula Group. Formerl y the J ames F . Ballard Collection; at present the Nellie Ballard \Vhite Collection. Exhi bi ted: Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsburgh, J923; The ]ohn Herron Art institute, Indianapolis, J921.

KOULA PRAYER RUG OF THE SEVENTEE TH CE TT URY. (Asia Minor) 0. 27

Ghiordes Knot, 63 to the sq. in .; 9 7 hor. (6 ft. 3 in. by 3 ft. JO in.)

The rich red ni che of this rug supports a long elaborate pendant hangi ng from the peak of the arch, surrounded by a row of small fl ower for ms re-sembling a pi nk. It also has the usual Koula guard stripes in the border. Formerly the James F. Ballard Collection ; at present the Nellie Bal lard White Collection. Exhibited: Liberty's, London; Pennsylvania Museum, Philadelphia, 19J9; The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1919; Carnegie I nstitute, Pittsburgh, 1923.

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1koula ~roup

KOULA PRAYER R UG OF THE SEVE T EE TH CENTURY. (Asia Minor) Ghiordes Knot, 63-70 to the sq . in. No. 28

(6 ft. by 4 ft .) Thi s Koula Pra yer Rug belongs to the latter part of the Seventeenth Century, when Asia Minor was the sea t of an art unsurpassed in the annal s of the world. This Kou la Prayer Rug is distinguished for its wonder-ful soft color tones, and the " Koula Blue" which is seen so often in rugs of thi s t ype. Formerly the James F. Ballard Collection; at present the ellie Bal lard White Collection. F.xhibited: Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, 1923; The John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, 1924.

KO LA PRAYE R R UG OF THE SEVENT EENTH CENTURY. (Asia Minor) · No. 29

Ghiordes Knot, 72 to the sq. in.; 9 8 hor. (5.ft. //in . by 4 ft.)

This rug is interesting in that it has a composite floral motive simulating a mosque lamp, with flower forms in the spandrel and the main border, whi ch is unusu al for this type of rug. Formerly the Jam es F. Ballard Collection; a t present the ellie Ballard White Collection. Exhibited : Carnegie Institute, Pittsbu1gh, 1923; The 'John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, 1924.

RHODIAN KO LA RUG OF THE SEVE TEENTH CENTURY. (Asia Minor) Ghiordes Knot, 63-70 to sq . in. No. 3o

(3ft. 972 in. by 4 ft. 4% in.) The intricacy of design and extreme delicacy of colors, together with the Rhodian lil y design in the border, makes this a very interesting rug of the Koula group. Formerly the James F. Ball ard Collection; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection. Exhibited : Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, 1923, The John Herron Art In stitute, Indianapolis, 1924.

KOULA R UG OF THE SEVENTEE TH CENTURY. (Asia Minor) Ghiordes Knot, 99-108 to the sq . in. No. 31

(6ft. 10 in . by 4 ft . 372 in.) Thi s Koula is very interesting in that it has so man y interpretations of flower forms in the Spandrel and main border, with an elaborate floral Mosque lamp suspended from the apex of the arch. The color tones in thi s rug are ve ry soft and luminous. Formerly from the James F. Ballard Coll ec tion; at present the . ellie Ballard White Collection.

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Jkoula ~roup

KOULA PRAYER RUG OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. (Asia Minor)

Ghiordes Knot, 63-100 sq. in. (5 ft. 672 in. by 3 ft . 472 in.)

No. 32

The blue niche of this rug supports a long elaborate pendant hanging from the peak of the arch . At the bottom it terminates in three conventionalized motifs resembling pomegranates. Across the bottom of niche and up the sides are projected small pink sprays. The border has the usual Koula stripes. Formerly in the collection of an Italian Nobleman; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection .

KOULA PRAYER RUG OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. (Asia Minor) No. 33

Ghiordes Knot, 73-105 to sq . in . (5 ft. 10 in. by 4 ft . 3 in.)

This rug has a different type of pendant in the niche from the usual Koula, with a row on either side of tiny ewers and flower forms, representing the pink across the bottom and up either side. The border consists of the regular "Koula" stripes. Formerly in the collection of an Italian nobleman; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection.

EARLY PRAYER RUG OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY. (Asia Minor)

(5 ft. 10 in. by 4 ft.) No. 34

This rug belongs to the group known as "Picture Rugs," because they appear so often in the paintings of the seventeenth century . It conveys a feeling of awe and mystery, due to the unusual formation of the prayer arch. Formerl y the James F. Ballard Collection; at present the Nellie Ballard White Collection . Exhibited : Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, 1923, The John Herron Ari Institute, Indianapolis, 1924.

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