Publication Date
Thirteenth / nineteenth century
Publication Place
-
St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Arts, Glasgow Museums
Subject
Wool (warp, weft and syllabic) with cotton threads, woven on a handloom.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الطول: 183 سم؛ العرض: 119 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
BC 9.45
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus04;48;ar
Library Location
St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Arts, Glasgow Museums
Date
Thirteenth / nineteenth century
Notes
A rug made by rural weavers from Giordis in Anatolia, famous for their weavings interwoven with short silk wool yarn. Giordice was one of the major centers of carpet making in the 13th/19th century; The graphic design and color, including the dark blue mihrab, framed in a semi-triangular shape and with elongated edges, are typical of Giordian carpet making. The presence of the mihrab proves that this is a prayer rug, used to provide a clean ritual space for performing the five daily prayers. The mihrab, which represents the prayer niche in the Islamic mosque, indicates the direction of Mecca, where Muslims go in their prayers. It may also symbolize the threshold of heaven. The decorations distributed at the top of the piece may also have a spiritual significance.
Sample Text
Noorah Al-Gailani, Noorah Al-Gailani “Prayer Rug” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus04;48;ar
