‘Montefeltro and the Islamic East. Urbino 1430-1550’

July 6, 2018

Among the most illustrious Lords of central Italy, Federico da Montefeltro surrounded himself with celebrities such as Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello and Giusto di Gand. But the rooms of the Palazzo Ducale that he built in Urbino–and which today host the National Gallery of the Marche–also shone with wonderful oriental tapestries and fine carpets from Egypt, Persia and Anatolia.

Exploring the long history of Islamic art in Urbino, a current exhibition within the ducal palace brings treasures–on loan from museums including the Louvre and the British Museum–collected by Federico and his successors, back to their original home. The show offers a unique chance to see a group of carpets that might have been seen by a visitor to the Urbino court in the sixteenth century.

Curated by Alessandro Bruschettini, the exhibition remains open until 30 September 2018.

Photos by Louise Broadhurst, Head of Christie’s Oriental Rugs & Carpets Department.

Montefeltro and the Islamic East. Urbino 1430-1550

17 images

Highlights from 'Montefeltro and the Islamic East. Urbino 1430-1550', held at the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Urbino.

Exhibition view

Large pattern Holbein, Western Anatolia, early 16th century

Exhibition view

Exhibition view

Carpet with Star Medallion, Northwestern Persia, first half of the 16th century

Ottoman Court carpet with cintamani motif, Egypt, second half of the 16th century

Exhibition view

Fragment of small pattern Holbein, Western Anatolia, last quarter of the 15th century

Bellini Prayer rug, Westen Anatolia, early 16th century

Lotto Rug with open pseudo-kufie border, Western Anatolia, first half of the 16th century

Exhibition view

Fragment of red velvet with golden endless knots, Italy, end of the 15th or early 16th century

Lotto carpet, Western Anatolia, last quarter of the 16th or early 17th century

Medallion Carpet with palmette border, Western Anatolia, first half of the 16th century

So-called bird carpet, Western Anatolia, late 16th or early 17th century

Fragment of small pattern Holbein with variant motif, Western Anatolia, second half of the 15th century

Carpet ‘ alla damaschina’ with ‘chessboard’ pattern, Syria or Eastern Anatolia, first half of the 16th century

Categories

exhibition

Tags

anatolia, antique, carpet, exhibition, Hali, hali magazine, Islamic art, Italy, rug