Posted by Pat Weiler on November 23, 1998 at 08:38:12:
In Reply to: Salatchaks' design posted by James Allen on November 23, 1998 at 06:23:30:
: represents a leopards' skin. Now what type of activity would one do with a representational leopard skin. The activity would be associated with high prestigue and a low budget else use a real leopard skin. Prayer is a good guess. Jim Allen
My interpretation, too, is that this represents a spotted leopard skin. The Dervishes would carry a small animal skin or rug representing one with them. The dervishes were ascetic Sufi's. They are not unknown in the area this rug may have been woven in. They would use it to sit upon, sleep on, etc.
If it were, instead, for wrapping a baby, leopard skins are seen in miniature paintings covering shahs and heroes of Iran. Tanavoli writes about this in Kings, Heroes & Lovers.