If there is one kind of carpet that is often overlooked as well as underestimated, then it has to be the prayer rug. There is a very wide and varied choice of old prayer rugs that originate from Afghanistan, Iran and the Caucasus. A prayer rug is a must for any carpet collection.
A point that is well worth remembering is that due to its religious significance the finest materials available were often used. Furthermore, great effort, care, and above all weaving skill was applied when producing a prayer rug. To be lucky enough to discover old prayer rugs which display the above qualities, you will have to patiently search and sift through many of Saudi Arabia’s carpet shops. In doing so, you will also, without doubt, come in to contact with a varied quantity of contemporary prayer rugs which display a combination of undesirable attributes, including the use of cheap coarse wool and cold and brash-looking synthetic colors with poorly executed designs. These above-mentioned negatives ensure that the rugs feel stiff and are devoid of charm, thereby looking cheap. They are merely produced to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for anything woven. Ultimately, these modern prayer rugs fail to elicit the spiritual awe that is seen with the much older examples — rugs that are 60 years and over which were specifically woven to be used for the sacred practice of prayer. Regardless of what the carpet dealers may tell you, it is advisable to keep your distance from these commercially woven examples. These commercial pieces are copies of past masterpieces and are not collectible or desirable. More importantly, they will never attain any value.
To increase your chances of acquiring an old “woven from the heart” prayer rug, you will have to be especially alert and observant during the Haj period. Hundreds, if not thousands, of pilgrims bring with them carpets and related textiles to Saudi Arabia. The Pilgrims will be seen selling their woven gems in the airports, shopping centers, and street corners. They can also be spotted bartering heavily with the Afghan carpet dealers located in the Afghan carpet souk near Balad, in downtown Jeddah. It will be during the Haj period that the carpet shops of Jeddah will have bought from the pilgrims small, good-quality batches of Iranian and Afghan Balouch prayer rugs.
The Iranian Balouch and Afghan Balouch prayer rug design is instantly recognizable because the mihrab (prayer arch) is woven at right angles, creating a head and shoulder effect that is unique to the Balouch weavers.
A wonderful example of an old (60 years plus) Afghan Balouch prayer rug (pictured) was discovered during the 2003 Haj. The rug was probably woven by a sub-tribe of the Tumuri who inhabit areas of Herat. The rug measures 80cm x 120cm. The rug has been beautifully woven using soft silky and bouncy lamb’s wool. The predominant color of the rug is a natural warm rich ruby red that was obtained from the madder root.
The predominant ruby red radiates at high and low intensities due to the wool being erratically hand-dyed and the red dye fading at different rates under natural light over the decades. This marvelous patina is not seen with synthetically dyed carpets. The remainder of the rug has intermittent dashes of natural ivory wool which outlines the mihrab with splashes of yellow, obtained from the esparek leaf, softly illuminating the hand panels. There is also a streak of electric blue that travels like a bolt of lightening woven horizontally across the rug.
The main field pattern is an enlarged version of the Dokhtar-e-Gazi (the judge’s daughter) and is outlined in grey-blue. A magnificent intricate kelim border decorates both ends of the prayer rug, as is expected with these older pieces. Contemporary Balouch weavings, however, do not display such an intricate extravagance.
Without doubt, the weaver has successfully combined her faultless woven geometric elegance with top quality dyes and the finest materials to successfully convey to the eye a religious awe and aesthetic beauty that only the master weavers from the past were able to create.
Interestingly, there are worn areas on the rug, particularly where the knees and hands were placed during worship. This detail of actual usage adds more intrigue to an already impressive prayer rug. Needless to say, this particular prayer carpet was a lucky find and it may be quite a while before another of equal quality will surface in the shops and souks.
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- Arab News Features 24 July 2003
