Publication Date
Sixteenth or seventeenth century, radiocarbon dating 14 determines the date as 1474 - 1667 (with 95% confidence).
Publication Place
-
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
340 × 277 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
TXT 236
Record ID
object;EPM;uk;Mus21;42;ar
Library Location
Al-Khalili Family Trust - Nasser D. Collection. Al-Khalili Islamic Art
Date
Sixteenth or seventeenth century, radiocarbon dating 14 determines the date as 1474 - 1667 (with 95% confidence).
Notes
This is one of approximately 90 prayer rugs or niches often known as the Salting Collection that are now generally accepted to have been woven in Iran sometime in the 16th or 17th century. Many people believe that it came from the Topkapi Palace Museum (which still contains 35 pieces) and was sold during the economic crisis resulting from the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-8. It is very likely that it was a diplomatic gift and entered the Topkapi Palace before 1680, as the public treasury register for that year mentions Persian prayer rugs with patterns embroidered with metal threads. It has been said that it remained unused in the palace storerooms due to the presence of inscriptions related to daily Shiite prayers on some of them, which can be explained by the bright colors and often recognizable condition of many examples, including this piece. The inscriptions on this carpet consist of Ayat al-Kursi and Surat al-Baqarah (2), verse 255 on the outer borders, and Surat al-Ahzab (33), verse 56 on the inner borders. The corner medallions surround the phrase “Glory belongs to God, the Most High, and to His praise/glory.” A pair of rugs formerly known as the “Perez” prayer rugs are in a private collection in Italy.
Sample Text
"Prayer rug" within Discover the collections of Islamic art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;uk;Mus21;42;ar
