Carpet with Double-Ended Triple Niche
Unknown Artist
dated A.H. 1182/ 1768–69 CE
Medium
Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions
H. 81 in. (205.7 cm) W. 66 in. (167.6 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Rugs
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Joseph V. McMullan, 1973
Accession Number
1974.149.20
Art Historical Context
This stunning *Carpet with Double-Ended Triple N*, dated A.H. 1182 (1768–69 CE), exemplifies the exquisite textile artistry of the Islamic world during the late 18th century. woven in Anatolia or a neighboring region under Ottoman influence, its design features three prayer-niche (mihrab) arches repeated symmetrically at both ends, the rug to be used reversibly for prayer—a practical and spiritually resonant adaptation. Such motifs evoke the sacred architecture of mosques, transforming a humble floor covering into a portable sanctuary for the faithful. Crafted entirely from wool for the warp,...