Prayer Rug
Unknown Artist
late 16th century
Medium
Silk, wool; asymmetrically knotted thread
Dimensions
Rug: H. 71 in. (180.34 cm) W. 44 in. (111.76 cm) Mount: H. 78 3/4 in. (200 cm) W. 52 1/2 in. (133.4 cm) D. 2 3/8 (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
1974.149.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Prayer Rug, crafted by an unknown artist in the 16th century, hails from the Islamic world during a golden age of textile artistry, likely the Ottoman Empire or Persia. Measuring about 71 by 44 inches, it was designed for personal devotion, with its characteristic mihrab—a pointed arch at the top—symbolizing niche in a mosque that directs worshippers toward Mecca. Such rugs transformed everyday prayer into a portable sacred space, reflecting the deep piety and craftsmanship of Muslim artisans. Woven from luxurious silk and wool using an asymmetrical knotting technique, the rug ...