Silk velvet with floral patterns was a speciality of Ottoman Turkey. In the 16th and 17th centuries, textile workers created a rich variety of complicated designs. In this case, the realistic tulips, carnations and hyacinths help to date this piece. It must have been made after the 1550s, when this type of natural floral pattern was introduced. Here, the weaver worked with crimson pile and yellow pile. The pattern is based on staggered rows of medallions, which are framed by vines set with flowers. The design is regular but you can see subtle changes of detail. For example, the arrangement of the flowers that fill the medallions alternates between rows. A row of rosettes with pointed petals surrounded by hyacinth blossoms is followed by a row of rosettes with rounded petals surrounded by carnations. Length of red and gold velvet velvet, 1600s, Turkish