Posted by Yon Bard on November 25, 1998 at 08:44:01:
I think it most unlikely that this is a prayer rug, for the following reason:
The simplest shape to weave is rectangular. It is unlikely that a non-rectangular shape would be woven unless the piece's function required it, or at least was significantly enhanced by it. This would not be the case for a prayer rug. In fact, the opposite is true: As the worshipper leans forward in prayer he places his hands on the corners of the rug (I have seen Baluch prayer rugs with hand images woven into the corners flanking the mihrab). Therefore, a shape with no corners is counter-functional (is there such a word?) for a prayer rug.
Regards, Yon