Towel (peşkir) with Design of Floral Motifs

Culture: Turkish
Period: Ottoman period, 1281–1924
Date: late 18th–early 19th century
Material: Silk and metallic yarn embroidery on cotton
made in: Turkey, Asia
Classification: Costume & clothing, textiles
Collection: Islamic Art
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 58 x 25 in. (147.3 x 63.5 cm)
Credit Line: Museum Purchase
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 197:1909

NOTES

Small flowers and leaves sparkling with metal threads grace this delicate cotton textile. Ottoman embroiderers adopted aspects of botanical naturalism introduced through European art objects, books, and drawings imported in the early 18th century. The cultural exchange was mutual. Just prior, in the late 17th century, “little Muslin-Napkins, edg’d with Gold, Silver, and Silk Border[s]” were imported into Europe, along with coffee, according to the French merchant Pierre de La Roque.

Provenance

- 1909
Jeremiah Zado Noorian (1874–1942), New York, NY [1]

1909 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Jeremiah Zado Noorian [2]

Notes:
[1] The name of the dealer is given as J. Zado Noorian in the Accession Record [SLAM document files]. His nickname, Jerry, was gleaned from correspondence letters between him and the director of the City Art Museum in 1909 [SLAM archives]. His full name was Jeremiah Zado Noorian.

[2] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, December 16, 1909.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.