Prayer Mat
88-16-41
From: India | Gujarat (uncertain) | Rajasthan (uncertain) | Iran (uncertain)
Curatorial Section: Asian
| Object Number | 88-16-41 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Culture | Indian | Islamic | Persian (uncertain) |
| Provenience | India | Gujarat (uncertain) | Rajasthan (uncertain) | Iran (uncertain) |
| Period | 20th Century | 19th Century |
| Date Made | Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century |
| Section | Asian |
| Materials | Cotton |
| Technique | Block Printed | Hand Painted | Mordant Dyed | Resist Dyed | Woven |
| Iconography | Floral | Mihrab |
| Description | Block-printed and mordant-dyed plain-weave cotton kalamkari prayer mat with an architectural design of a mihrab (arched niche indicating the direction of prayer). Likely produced in Isfahan, Iran (Persia), or perhaps on the Southeastern coast of India for the Muslim community in Persia. Block-printed and mordant-dyed plain-weave cotton. The cotton fabric is soaked in a myrobalan (plant-derived) solution before it is printed and dyed, giving it an ochre color. Top portion features ornate architectural spires formed by tear-drop motifs. Composition is symmetrical along the vertical axis, but motifs are not mirrored—the same block print is repeated. Outlines are block-printed, in-filled colors are painted with a kalam (pen). Floral design in madder red, indigo blue, and ochre features cypress trees, dense vines, butas (paisleys), Persian-style palmettes, and Mughal-style bouquets. There are significant patches of discoloration. Paisley and floral design with archway motif. Cotton. Painted on fabric. |
| Length | 127.5 cm |
| Width | 83.8 cm |
| Credit Line | Received from various sources, pre-1988 |
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