Rug with Horseshoe Niche Design and Inscribed Cartouches
Red ground rugs with horseshoe-shaped mihrabs represent a distinctive group of rugs with some glorious comparable examples. However none contain the mirrored inscription contained in the cartouches occupying the compartment above the niche. Technically belonging to a sub-group of ‘Transylvanian’ prayer rugs, it clearly pays homage to the classical Ottoman tradition, seen especially in the careful drawing of the tulips and carnations in the green spandrels as well as that of the sickle leaf and palmette in the green border. The inscription, however illegible, has a strong architectural character which emphasises the solemnity of the niche design; the eye projects beyond the red ground of the niche and of the cartouches, as if these were windows onto the infinite.
- Warp: wool, ivory
- Weft: wool, niche in brick red, borders in light green, 1-2 shots between knotted rows
- Knot: symmetrical, weaving direction is opposite to niche, moderately depressed warps
- Knot count: 13H x 15V = 195 knots/square inch
- Selvages: flat, two sets of paired warps
- Ends: top with remnants of pistachio green weft-faced plain weave
- Colours: brick red, forest green, light yellow, light blue, light brown, dark brown, beige, ivory (8)
- Condition: unrestored. Pile is medium-low overall with a minute niche area showing foundation