Large Romanian knotted carpet, attributed to Tuduc

Large Romanian knotted carpet, attributed to Tuduc
Romanian, c.1930
Height 333cm, width 173cm

This beautiful, vibrant carpet has been attributed to the important Romanian carpet-maker, Theodor Tuduc (1888-1893). Tuduc ran a prestigious workshop in the 19th Century which specialised in the restoration and replication of antique rugs. This item, for instance, is one of a small group of carpets which were knotted after early Caucasian ‘dragon’ rugs. Tuduc's copies of antique rugs were so beautiful and accurate that they have become almost as collectable as the originals.

The carpet field is knotted with beautiful stylised depictions of animals, birds and dragons, as well as fruit trees, flowers, and foliage. These designs have been rendered in red, orange, light blue, turquoise, navy, green, mustard yellow, and off-white. This field is set within a border, knotted with similarly coloured foliate motifs against an off-white background.

Literature: For early Caucasian dragon carpets, see Serare Yetkin, Early Caucasian Carpets in Turkey, London, 1978, Vol. 1, pp. 8-40.

Artist/maker: (attributed to) Theodor Thuduc (Romanian, 1888-1983)