Few prayer rugs exhibit the artistic integrity of this example.  The simplicity of the pattern is reminiscent of a much earlier aesthetic that is often associated with Turkic weavers throughout Central Asia including early weavings from Anatolia.   Most prayer rugs are commercial weavings in my opinion, rarely exhibiting the wear pattern one would expect from a rug that was truly in use.  Needless to say, the wear pattern here is consistent with what one expect from a rug that has been used for prayer only.   The borders, too, are quite nice, very boldly drawn versions of the reciprocal rams horn motif as well as a larger than usual scale ‘barber pole’ minor border.   This is an excellent weaving in every respect, a very collectible and rare example of Baluch weaving from Afghanistan.

The condition is what it is, in original condition as it emerged from the field some years ago.  The colors are all derived from natural dyes, except the yellowish dye used sparingly in the minor border which is an early fuchsine dye, dating the weaving to no earlier than approximately 1865.

I recently re-acquired this weaving, hence its appearance in the Recent Acquisitions section