Melas Prayer rug

This colorful Melas prayer rug, from the Aegean coastal region of western Anatolia, combines the type’s classic mihrab niche and spandrel design with vivid and varied Turkish color. It is thought that at least one group of the celebrated Ottoman era “Transylvanian” type rugs were woven in this same area. The drawing of wispy colorful palmettes within the white spandrels of this piece echoes that 17th century design tradition. Melas prayer rugs are also known for their multiplicity of borders, and this piece does not disappoint. Of particular merit is the outer white border, which retains a distinct floral sensibility while conveying a multi-colored repeat geometric rotation.