An Afghan prayer rug

[Erik Persson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Erik Persson]

This small Afghan prayer rug (71 x 102 cm) was purchased by my mother at Nils Nessim's carpet store in Malmö on October 27, 1956 for 195 SEK, being the first Oriental carpet my parents acquired. My question now is: Can anything more specific be said about its origins within Afghanistan? I surmise it was new when my mother bought it. Is this a reasonable guess, you think?

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Hi Erik,

I know little about prayer rugs, but to me the overall design looks quite non-typical for an Afghan (Turkmen) prayer rug--it has elements that I usually associate with Anatolian prayer rugs and copies of them (the main field). Early to mid-20th century dating seems right.

Best,

Mikko

[Erik Persson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Erik Persson]

Thank, you, Mikko, interesting point! I have the receipt of the carpet, where it is referred to as an "Afghan" . Generally speaking, Nessims is a very well-reputed, still extant carpet store, known to be knowledgeable and reliable. They also import rugs directly from the Orient - could be the case with this one also, I think. On the other hand, they certainly could have made a mistake in the identification as so often happens.

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Hi Erik,

It does look like Afghan weaving, just not the most typical of designs (a bit like the Anatolian prayer rug you posted). That could actually help out in pinpointing the origin by someone who knows Afghan prayer rugs.

Mikko

[Chuck Wagner Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck Wagner]

Hi Erik,

The palette, structure, and design are all typical of what is called Kizilayak production in the trade (different, from the Kizyl Ayak clan along the middle and upper Amu Darya). Pieces such as this are usually sourced from the area around Sheberghan or Aq Chah in northern Afghanistan. I would guess it was new in the 1950's.
Regards
Chuck

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

In my opinion, not Anatolian. However, it’s a beautiful piece and a wonderful family heirloom with a great story behind it.

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Hi Chuck,

I was waiting for your input... But is this some kind of an Afghan take on the classic Anatolian design?

Best,

Mikko

[Erik Persson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Erik Persson]

I was also waiting for Chuck's expert opinion - many thanks, Chuck, for giving me the answers I asked for! And many thanks, Joe, for the kind words about the rug!

[Chuck Wagner Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck Wagner]

Mikko, et al.,

It's not unreasonable to suggest an Anatolian inspiration for this particular style of prayer rug. These from Afghanistan come with a variety of permutations, not all of which are featured on Anatolian rugs (or if so, rarely), such as extra buildings in the upper or adjacent side sections of the field. Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca, and many bring goods with them, including carpets, to use and then sell to help finance their travels. Between that great mixing center, and trade between regions, designs travel and morph.

Here are a couple we have with the same basic theme, the first a Kizilayak contemporary of Erik's rug from the 1940's or 1950's, the second a Khal Mohammadi made in northern Afghanistan during the early years of the Russian invasion, so 1970's-ish.

Regards
Chuck

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Hi Chuck,

Thank you for the additional info. I'm used to seeing those "extra buildings" in 20th-century Afghan prayer rugs, and that's why I found Erik's rug somewhat unconventional.

Mikko