Rug c. 19th century

This 19th-century rug is an example of a prayer rug, a type of rug specifically designed for Islamic prayer. The rug features a distinctive mihrab, a niche that indicates the direction of Mecca, the holiest city in Islam. The rug is decorated with intricate geometric patterns in shades of red, blue, and cream, characteristic of Turkish rug-making traditions. This piece, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, offers a glimpse into the intersection of art, faith, and daily life in the Islamic world.