Carpet (Ushak double-ended prayer rug)
17th century
Medium
Wool, plain weave with supplementary wrapping wefts forming cut pile through a technique known as "Ghiordes (Turkish) knots"
Dimensions
170.6 × 110.8 cm (67 1/8 × 43 5/8 in.)
Classification
weaving - carpet
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
22030
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This carpet, generally known as a "Ushak double-ended prayer rug," was derived from the classical prayer carpet. It uses the niche motif, in a repeated version. It is a typical example of the adaptation of a sixteenth-century design element to the tastes of the seventeenth century.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...