Prayer Mat
88-16-49
From: India | Gujarat (uncertain) | Rajasthan (uncertain) | Iran (uncertain)
Curatorial Section: Asian
| Object Number | 88-16-49 |
| 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 | Bird |
| Inscription Language | Arabic Language |
| 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. Paisley and floral design with archway motif. There is an inscription near the top in a box that reads: سبحان ربي الاعلى وبحمده "Glory and praise be to my Lord the Most High". See also 88-16-41. |
| Length | 114.3 cm |
| Width | 81.28 cm |
| Credit Line | Received from various sources, pre-1988 |
Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.