Around 1840, Superb Ghiordes Prayer Rug, Anatolye Türkiye

Ottoman Art

Superb and rare "antique" prayer rug, circa 1840

This rug belongs to the group of prayer rugs from Ghiordès, a village located between Izmir and Ouchak.

The central cream-colored field constitutes the background of a niche surmounted by a mirhab (architectural niche of a sacred nature made in the wall of a mosque to indicate the qibla, that is to say the direction of the kaaba to Mecca where Muslims face during prayer. It is often in the middle of the qibla wall, and decorated with two columns and an arcade. The columns support the main niche and separate it from the side half-niches. The designs are generally epigraphic, geometric and vegetal. There is no figurative representation.

The mirhab here houses a mosque vase suspended by 2 chains in its upper part. The border is made up of 2 horizontal and vertical bands with repeating flower motifs and stylized plants on a background harmoniously alternating navy blue, red and cream.

The architecture of the design of this rug is very classic and common in GHIORDES rugs, while we also often find this cream background on rugs from this origin (See last photo)

General used cindition, linked to its frequent use over centuries (please check photos).
The structure of the carpet nevertheless remains very flexible and non-brittle. The rug is preferably intended today for decorative hanging on a wall.

Superb collector's item, for old and even "antique" carpets customers.

Dimensions 155cm * 132cm