Prayer Mat
19th century
Description
This prayer mat is an example of whitework, a subtle form of needlework in which white embroidery thread is used to create a design on a white fabric ground. Here the design is based on a central field with multiple borders, both of which are dominated by inscriptions in Arabic. The central field is organized as a pointed arch (echoing the shape of a mihrab), enclosing floral and geometric motifs and inscription panels. The widest border holds inscription panels alternating with flower-filled triangles. The narrower borders are decorated with geometric designs within lozenges and reciprocal patterns. The Arabic inscriptions consist of pious expressions, e.g., the basmala, prayers for the Prophet Muhammad, and entreaties to God, as well as verses from the Qur’an. The Qur’anic verses include Suras 2:255; 2:257; and 97:1-4.
Dimensions
58.7 x 92.5 cm (23 1/8 x 36 7/16 in.)
Provenance
Mark and Ruth Irwin, Wooster, Ohio (by 1965 - 1998), by descent; to Beth Irwin Lewis, Oberlin, Ohio (1998 - 2015), gift; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2015.
Related Artworks
View MoreWool
19th centuryTurkishTwill tapestry-woven pashmina (goat hair)
18th-19th centuryIndianWarps: 2 S plied Z spun hard white undyed wool; one level. Weft: 1 Z spun brown undyed wool; 2 yarns per shoot. Pile: 2 S plied Z spun wool; small amount of silk. Pile colors: dark red, light red, dark, medium and light blue, bright yellow, small amounts of white and undyed brown. Magenta is silk. Knots: asymmetrical, open to the right. Knots per vertical decimeter: 100. Knots per horizontal decimeter: 47. Selvedges: both replaced, hand serged. Top end: 1/2 cm blue and 1/2 cm white tapestry weave, folded under and sewn in bright red. Bottom end: 1/2 cm red tapestry weave.
19th centuryTurkmenWool, knotted pile
19th centuryCaucasianBook of swatches mounted on paper (56 sheets)
19th-20th centuryJapaneseVelvet
19th-20th centuryEuropean?Warp: 2 Z spun S plied wool; 1 level. Weft: 1 Z spun wool in dark red, orange, undyed brown and yellow; mostly 2 and sometimes 3/4/5 yarns per shoot. Pile: 2 Z spun S plied wool. Pile colors: dark red heavily abrashed to light red, dark yellow (heavily abrashed), light green (most likely indigo sulfonic), purple, fuchsine purple (now faded), undyed white, corrosive brown. Knots: symmetrical. Both selvedges: 2 bundles of 2 green warps each. Top end: 1 cm. green tapestry weave, stripped. Top of design is bottom of rug.
19th-20th centuryOttomanwool pile on a foundation of cotton warps and wefts
19th centuryPersianEmbroidered silk
19th centuryChinese