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McMullan Ottoman Cairene prayer rug, Egypt, late 16th century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

 

Geography: Egypt or Turkey
Culture: Islamic Medium: Silk, wool
Dimensions: Rug: H. 71 in. (180.34 cm) W. 44 in. (111.76 cm) Mount: H. 78 3/4 in. (200 cm) W. 52 1/2 in. (133.4 cm) D. 2 3/8 (6 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of Joseph V. McMullan, 1973 Accession Number: 1974.149.1
This artwork is not on display

Description
The Ottoman workshops produced a great variety of carpet designs that usually employed a group of familiar elements, consisting of naturalistic flowers, lotuses, and palmettes, often combined with feathery lanceolate leaves, medallions, arabesques, and cloud bands—all of which are seen here. This rug is attributed to the court manufactory in Istanbul because of the distinct, well-drawn patterns in the field and the border, as well as the all-silk foundation. The small size and overall design of an arch shape in the central field suggest that this carpet was used as a prayer rug.