Ghiordes prayer rugs such as this, and lot 83 in this sale, are from a group of refined and aesthetically successful workshop rugs whose designs are derived from Ottoman court rugs, such as the 16th century prayer rug in the Walters Art Gallery, see Ettinghausen, R., et al, Prayer Rugs, Washington, D.C., 1974, pl. II. The lush floral decoration of these court rugs has here become highly stylized but they retain their strong architectural feel. Related examples are in the Brukenthal Museum, Sibiu, (M 1625) see Ionescu, S., Antique Ottoman Rugs in Transylvania, Rome, 2005, cat. 216, p. 17, as well as in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, see Dimand, M.S. and Jean Mailey, Oriental Rugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1973, fig. 187, op.cit., fig. 198. Similar rugs at auction include Christie's London, 9 October 2006, lot 50, and Carpets from the Estate of Vojtech Blau, Sotheby's New York, 14 Dec 2006, lot 2.