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Antique Rugs and Carpets - Prayer

Nazmiyal

Prayer rugs represent a very special genre with the world of carpets. Technically any small carpet or rug can be used for prayer, so all rugs are prayer rugs. Still, it seems that the prayer rug as a specific type or genre emerged relatively early in the history of the Islamic carpet. What distinguishes a prayer rug in terms of format is the use of an arched doorway, niche or “mihrab” as an organizing compositional theme or motif. This mihrab replicates the “qibla “or niche in the main wall of a mosque, which enables the faithful to orient themselves toward Mecca when in engaged in prayer or “namaz.” Some mihrabs on payer rugs look overtly architectural, with a pointed arch supported by columns to either side. Alternatively, they may simply approximate the shape of such an arched door, or the arch may become gable-like or stepped. In time prayer rugs became quite elaborate with additional panels above or below the mihrab, as well as several borders surrounding the whole composition.

Without a doubt, however, the most interesting and complex elaboration of the prayer rug format is the multiple-niche payer rug or “Saph.” At first glance Saphs look like runners, at least in terms of their long proportions. But unlike runners, where the design is longitudinal, emphasizing the length of the runner, Saphs are oriented toward the edges, rather than the ends. Their décor consists of niches running form one long edge to the other and placed side by side in serial repetition. Practically, they appear to function as a series of prayer rugs connected side to side for three or more worshipers to use simultaneously or communally.

The origin of this format is still not altogether clear. Some writers would see them as “family”prayer rugs, although there is no established format for family prayer in the Muslim world.. Others would see them as serving the needs of a religious group or community of some kind, or simply as a means of facilitating group prayer. We simply do not know, but it seems likely that they were invented for use in mosques rather than at home. Saphs are attested at least as early as the fifteenth century when they are depicted in the manuscript illumination of Timurid Persia. They appear to have been produced in all parts of the Muslim world where rugs were made – Persia, Turkey, Turkestan, and India, with a particular concentration in the latter three regions. There are Ottoman Saphs, Mogul Saphs, and well as examples from nomadic Turkoman weaving and East Turkestan. They are even attested in the relatively humble or domestic genre of Anatolian kilims, which suggests that they were a well integrated cultural feature rather than something extraordinary.

Nevertheless, Saphs are not not common. Their relative rarity makes them a highly desirable type for collectors. The example from the Nazmiyal Collection illustrated here is an eighteenth century piece from East Turkestan. This does in fact seem to be a special commission since it is made with all silk pile. Bu despite its luxurious material, the design is remarkably simple and reserved, with the various niches left as empty spaces in green, the special color of the Prophet Mohammed. The decoration is restricted to the borders and the spandrels or spaces above the mihrab. Interestingly, this example is quite similar to the one depicted in a Timurid manuscript, suggesting that Saph composition may be one of the most conservative and tradition types of rug design.

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Nazmiyal Collection of Prayer Rugs and Carpets- 10 Results


Antique Turkish Rug 2794

Style: Region Specific
Origin: Turkey
Size: 2 ft 09 in X 3 ft 10 in (0.64 m X 0.94 m)

A striking contrast of burnt sienna and magenta plays with

Antique Turkish Rug 2794

#6A5659 #FDFCFA #AB9F91 #8A5865 #B48D74 #8A4C4E #D2AD95 #DD5F51 #8E6A53
Antique Turkish Rug 2794

Antique Suzani Rug 17801

Style: Suzani
Origin: Uzbekistan
Size: 3 ft X 4 ft 02 in (0.91 m X 1.23 m)

Antique Silk Suzani carpet # 17801, 18th century

Antique Suzani Rug 17801

#956E47 #A87747 #B48653 #B78D68 #935F35 #A97A54 #9C7F58 #E6C7AA #CC9D77
Antique Suzani Rug 17801

Antique Turkish Rug 43932

Style: Region Specific
Origin: Turkey
Size: 3 ft 02 in X 4 ft 03 in (0.92 m X 1.23 m)

Antique Turkish Rug 43932

#9A2924 #A64238 #DFCFC2 #762C2C #903A3E #152231 #222A40 #292431 #B92E2A
Antique Turkish Rug 43932

Antique Silk and Wool Dagestan Rug 43907

Style: Dagestan
Origin: East Turkestan
Size: 3 ft 06 in X 4 ft 04 in (0.93 m X 1.23 m)

 

Antique Silk and Wool Dagestan Rug 43907

#FAD6AE #FEFCF6 #361303 #61260D #E8B590 #D59773 #864234 #B28B65 #BEA481
Antique Silk and Wool Dagestan Rug 43907

Antique Dagestan Rug 3162

Style: Dagestan
Origin: East Turkestan
Size: 3 ft 03 in X 5 ft (0.92 m X 1.52 m)

This antique Oriental Dagestan rug from the Caucasus is exceptional for the quality of its color and the power of its design.

Antique Dagestan  Rug 3162

#FAD29D #5F280B #FEFCF9 #EAB588 #972F10 #DD9A61 #CC371F #D4572E #704226
Antique Dagestan  Rug 3162

Antique Silk Tabriz Persian Rug 41844

Style: Tabriz
Origin: Persia
Size: 4 ft 04 in X 5 ft 08 in (1.23 m X 1.55 m)

This magnificent antique Tabriz silk rug from Persia almost has the effect pale gold jewels set with rubies.

Antique Silk Tabriz Persian Rug 41844

#F2D1B0 #B08D6F #B9A085 #DEC8AB #ECC2A3 #FEFDFA #DAB998 #9E7255 #D7BCA6
Antique Silk Tabriz Persian Rug 41844

Antique Milas Turkish Rug 2890

Style: Milas / Melas
Origin: Turkey
Size: 3 ft 06 in X 5 ft 09 in (0.93 m X 1.55 m)

A stylized tree of life stands gracefully against a crimson ground on this charming antique Melas prayer rug from Turkey.

Antique Milas Turkish Rug 2890

#B85042 #9C3421 #D59B6E #B33E39 #DAB38B #A24C30 #713C1E #B2936B #EDCBA3
Antique Milas Turkish Rug 2890

Antique Tabriz Persian Rug 43498

Style: Tabriz
Origin: Persia
Size: 4 ft 05 in X 5 ft 11 in (1.23 m X 1.56 m)

Antique Tabriz Persian Rug 43498

#5D2A0B #B68A5D #704624 #81360D #311407 #A1724C #FEFEFA #D79E67 #FAD39C
Antique Tabriz Persian Rug 43498

Antique Silk Kashan Persian Rug 43898

Style: Kashan
Origin: Persia
Size: 4 ft 01 in X 6 ft 09 in (1.22 m X 1.86 m)

 

Antique Silk Kashan Persian Rug 43898

#A46854 #E2A88E #BD886C #8F4D3A #28150B #703428 #E38377 #DE675D #B69D8A
Antique Silk Kashan Persian Rug 43898

Antique 18th Century Silk Yarkand Oriental Rugs 2975

Style: Yarkand
Origin: East Turkestan
Size: 3 ft 07 in X 8 ft 11 in (0.94 m X 2.47 m)

This spectacular antique Saph or multiple-niche prayer rug is a masterpiece of East Turkestan weaving.

Antique 18th Century Silk Yarkand Oriental Rugs 2975

#D8B987 #D5B075 #DCC492 #E2BF7B #D0A07F #EBC895 #BA8F62 #ECB98B #FEFEFB
Antique 18th Century Silk Yarkand Oriental Rugs 2975

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