A late 19th century Dagestan prayer design rug fragment.
The classic Caucasian niche motif is presented here upon a field of serrated lozenge lattice reminiscent of a honeycomb. This is further accentuated by the weaver’s choice of colours: brown in the background with yellow lattice lines. Each lozenge row features a distinct pattern.
The Karbala stone crowns the main field as it is tucked neatly beneath the apex of the niche (mihrab).
The central design is framed by a rectangle composed of the oriental star motif presented in single columns on both sides and rows at the top and the bottom of the artifact (mostly missing). These are inscribed into oblique-stripes border guards.
The general composition of this work appears to be longer than most Dagestan rugs in prayer design whereas the length is nearly its double width.
A.G.
