23. An exceptional Kizilayak Antique Prayer Rug

23. Provenance: Kizilayak Tribe, Northern Afghanistan or Turkmenistan

Size: 145 x 97cm

Age: Circa 1880

Condition: Very good. Some expert reweaving at the ends, and kilims.

Notes: This prayer rug has only natural dyes, and has the warm brown hue that is typical of old Kizilayaks, as well as a generous use of (the expensive) saffron and indigo. It shows a mosque design predating the others on this page, surrounded by obscure abstract motifs.

Materials: Handspun wool pile on wool warps/wefts.