Prayer Rug with Niche Design

Unknown

19th century · Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile · Islamic Art

Prayer rugs or "seccade" carpets were among the most popular rugs woven in Anatolia. Common features are the characteristic niche design evoking the mihrab or prayer niche and the smaller size that makes such carpets suitable for individual use. Departing from classical Ottoman court carpets, distinct designs and styles were created over time in villages and smaller towns of Anatolia, explaining the existence of a variety of types. This example from Milas in western Turkey shows a stylized niche with an arch shaped into a lozenge and a small notch atop the niche, as well a distinct color palette that uses a pale eggplant color in contrast to the more

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

The James F. Ballard Collection, Gift of James F. Ballard, 1922