Prayer Carpet with White Ground Field

The major design element of a traditional prayer rug is an arched niche representing the mihrab or niche in the wall of the mosque. This architectural element orients the worshippers inside toward the holy city of Mecca during prayer. On rugs, the arch is often supported by two columns and sometimes decorated with a lamp hanging from its apex. This rug has taken those traditional elements and turned them into ornamental decoration. What once had been a lamp, now has become a stylized floral spray, hovering in the center of the arch. Columns no longer support the arch but terminate with flowers at either end. The unusual brilliant white ground highlights the darker reds and blues, a result of using cotton. Most rugs were made only of wool, which could not achieve the same luster.