Tabriz prayer rug
Dateearly 20th century
Maker
Persian
Label TextOne of the major centers of rug weaving in Iran is Tabriz, located in the western part of the country, near the Azerbaijani border. This example is immediately recognizable as a prayer rug, with the incorporation of a mihrab in the central field. In mosques, the mihrab is a niche indicating the direction of Mecca, and thus of prayer. The image of a mihrab on rugs allows worshippers to view the niche during their prayers.
Object number53.162
Credit LineGift of Mrs. A. Scott Bullitt
Dimensions85 × 50 in. (215.9 × 127 cm)
MediumPile woven silk
Object number: 33.318