Karapinar prayer rug

Karapinar prayer rug
from central Turkey
circa 1860
Size: 193 x 117 cm

The design incorporates elements of mosque architecture – columns and capitals – from 17th and 18th century Transylvanian prayer rugs and from which this triple column type evolved.
This piece, by structure and palette, is probably from Karapinar to the south of Capadoccia. It has a particularly beautiful palette featuring rich primary colours, a beautiful aubergine and a camel ground within the niche. The panel above the mihrab (prayer niche) provides a glimpse of the garden of paradise beyond.