Ersari prayer rug

Woven by Turkmen weavers in northern Afghanistan, this prayer rug draws a classic rams’ horn formation above the ‘mihrab’ niche. The vegetal design within the field of the niche recalls a design seen in bags and trappings of the so-called Bashir group of Ersari Turkmen weaving from Central Asia. The date 1322, corresponding to the Western year 1904, is written within two small white panels in the top corners of the field.

Collection of Dr. and Mrs. William T. Price