Near East, Islamic Period, Persia, ca. late 19th to mid-20th century CE. An opulent cotton textile prayer rug of rectangular form, painted via a traditional type of woodblock printing known as qalamkari or kalamkari with in an elaborate decorative program of vegetal, geometric, and arabesque motifs. The stunning textile features an arched doorway at the center known as a mihrab, an ornamental niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca which Muslims must face when praying, with 2 lines of Arabic above; likely a prayer to Allah. The verso boasts dense floral patterns with a darker colored border of phytomorphic designs. Size (textile): 36" W x 54.5" H (91.4 cm x 138.4 cm); (custom frame): 37.6" W x 56.4" H (95.5 cm x 143.3 cm)

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#174006

Some small tears and perforations near bottom and upper right side. Mending to upper periphery with an area of repainting over mend. Staining and pulling in areas. Otherwise, great preservation of form and pigments. Mounted to modern wood frame.