Prayer mat c. 20th century

This 20th-century prayer mat, created by the Sakalava people of Madagascar, is a beautifully woven textile with a striped pattern and a central motif of three stylized "houses." Made of natural fibers, the mat is approximately 30 3/16 x 37 1/4 inches and features a fringe along its bottom edge. The mat's design and vibrant colors are characteristic of Sakalava weaving traditions, which often incorporate geometric patterns and symbolic imagery. The "houses" likely represent sacred spaces or dwellings of ancestors, making the mat a significant object in Sakalava religious practice.