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 MoreCotton embroidered with silk and metal thread
19th centuryOttomanWarps: 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 centuryTurkmenSilk, metallic yarns (filé. lamé and frisé) and sequins
18th-19th centuryItalianCombined textiles: ikat (probably Khiva, silk warp and cotton weft); broadcloth (Russia or Britain, wool, with silk thread embroidery in chain stitch); printed cottons (Bukhara and Russia) and pattern-woven cottons.
19th-20th centuryUzbekVegetable-dyed, handspun cotton with stenciled paste-resist decoration
18th-19th centuryJapaneseBlue silk gauze ground with needlepoint decoration
19th centuryChinesesilk and metal thread on blue silk satin ground, patterned with floating wefts, stamped (main textile)
18th-19th centuryPersianBook of swatches mounted on paper (56 sheets)
19th-20th centuryJapaneseGauze damask with metallic buttons
19th-20th centuryChinese