Two Niches One Devotion

Antique Baluch double-mihrab prayer rug, hand-knotted wool, Persian/Afghan border region, early 20th century This tribal prayer rug presents two stacked mihrab niches in a diamond-lattice field of madder red, indigo, and rose, framed by star-medallion guard borders in gold and aubergine. Hand-knotted wool on a wool foundation, with visible abrash in the indigo ground confirming handspun, naturally dyed yarn. Several old wool repairs are present throughout, consistent with decades of devotional use. 49.5 × 33.5 inches.