1985.R.90, Alcaraz Rug, 16th century, Spain | DMA Staging Content Management System

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Spanish rugs represent one of the oldest extant groups of such textiles (1985.R.93, 1985.R.94). It is believed that Arab Muslims brought the art of rug weaving to the Iberian Peninsula when they pushed the Visigoths out of Spain in the 18th century. For several centuries thereafter, the finest Spanish rugs were produced by Muslim craftsmen and exported throughout the eastern Mediterranean. The textiles appear to have been especially appreciated in Egypt before Cairo developed a weaving industry of its own.

During the 15th century, Spanish weaving reached its zenith, with several towns in the southwestern region of Murcia producing rugs. Probably made in either Alcaraz or Cuenca, this example reflects the changes that occurred as Muslim craftsmen were supplanted by Christian workers following the defeat of the Moors in 1492. Although octagonal motifs are derived from Turkish rugs imported into Spain, the characteristic octagonal "wheels" of the Islamic prototype have been transformed into "wreaths." By the time rugs like this were made in the 16th century, Spanish designs had drifted to the point that the original Islamic motifs were highly compromised and mingled with European Gothic and Renaissance patterns. Here, the tracery on the interior of the octagons has little relationship to the highly geometric patterns found on Turkish examples. Also, the non-Islamic border was probably inspired by contemporary Spanish or Italian silk designs.

Adapted from

Dallas Museum of Art, Decorative Arts Highlights from the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1995), 28.

NOTES

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Textiles at the Dallas Museum of Art

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At La Pausa with Wendy and Emery Reves

Emery Reves