Antique Shirvan Marasali Kabistan prayer rug / namazlyg, Shirvan Region, Azerbaijan. H. Manoyan Collection

Shirvan prayer rug, Eastern Caucasus, West Coast of the Caspian Sea,circa 1880.Dimensions of the piece:5'.11"x3'.3" (180x99 cm). The ivory field contains a lattice enclosing a wide variaty of stylized flowers.The pattern continues in an abbreviated form in the spandrels. The pointed dark blue mihrab has a sawtooth edging and contains Marasali style pigeons and at the apex an array of colorful diamonds. The main madder border is decorated in the classic 'S" pattern and is flanked by dark brown minor borders in a "Z" and "cross" patern.The yellow innermost border is decorated with an "S" chain.