Marasali rug (569)

Marasali prayer rug from eastern Caucasus,Kuba district,west coast of the Caspian Sea

Age: circa 1860

Size: 4′.9″x3′.10″ (145×117 cm)

This attractive prayer rug shows a navy ground with six rows of colorful botehs enclosing attractive elements.The pattern continues through the slightly curved arch and fills the spandrels.The ivory mihrab is decorated with botehs/pigeons and is firmly attached to the border system.The rare yellow border shows a classic chalice and slant leaf pattern,while the other significant ivory frame displays an ivory ground decorated with a meander and pigeon/boteh.The two minor borders,navy grounded,both show small colorful rosettes,and in addition four narrow barber pole lines and a keyhole reciprocal edging the field.The weave is extremely fine.All the colors are crystal clear and from natural sources.About the condition:both selvedges are not present;bottom end missing the barber pole strip and an additional few lines;top end missing part of the barber pole line;pile is slightly low in general and there are some old repiling in the field.