Tabriz prayer rug

Tabriz prayer rug

early 20th century

One 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.

Pile woven silk

85 × 50 in. (215.9 × 127 cm)

Gift of Mrs. A. Scott Bullitt

53.162

Not currently on view

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