Prayer Rug

DateLikely Eighteenth Century

OriginAsia, Turkey, Manisa, Ghiordes or Kula

MediumWool

DimensionsOverall (H x W): 69 x 49in. (175.3 x 124.5cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Object number1979-214

DescriptionThe indigo mihrab of this prayer rug is set close to the bottom of the central panel, with a rectangular insert containing three geometric carnations sitting below the mihrab. A matching panel sits at the top of the central panel above a field of pink patterned with pink and blue flowers. The mihrab is typical of rugs made in Ghiordes: it is stepped, or tiered, with red three-petaled flowers or clovers growing from the sides and bottom. The mihrab is surrounded by a thin, chevron-patterned border, and the rectangular inserts are surrounded by a thin border patterned with a twisting ribbon. The central panel is surrounded with fourteen small borders. The innermost consists of yellow and red triangles, forming a sawtooth pattern. The next three borders contain small red and white flowers placed offset from the flowers in the adjacent borders, and the ground colors alternate blue-white-blue. It is followed by a repeat of the innermost border. The next seven borders alternate between black and white grounds. The white grounds bear red and white flowers with dark green stems and leafs, while the black grounds bear offset red and white flowers with light green stems and leafs. As a whole, they are surrounded by another repeat of the innermost border. The next three borders repeat the “blue-white-blue” borders in pattern, but not in color: the ground color alternates pink-white-pink and the flowers alternate blue and white. The whole is surrounded by a repeat of the innermost border. The final border, surrounding the entire carpet, is a thin blue border with black dots. The top and bottom of the carpet have short warp fringe, and there are approximately 95 knots per inch.

Label TextThe central panel of this prayer rug is in the shape of a mihrab, or the niche in mosques that orients toward Mecca so worshipers can face Mecca while they pray. Similar in use, the mihrabs on prayer rugs would be pointed toward Mecca when used for prayer. The shape of the mihrabs in prayer rugs is often indicative of their place of origin.
InscribedNo inscriptions or marks.
ProvenancePurchased by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller for use in Bassett Hall;
Given to CWF, 1979.

MAKER HISTORY:
As of 1920, both Kula’s and Ghiordes’ main industry was rug making.