Number (sold)
Type Village
Material Camel Hair
Style Prayer Rug
Origin Bakhshayesh
Size 133 x 80
Age 1880
One of a handful of extremely rare, important and collectible Bakhshayesh tribal rugs woven with camel hair and that served as meditation or prayer rugs for high ranking members of Sufi brotherhoods in the 19th century. Camel hair as a fiber is closely linked to Sufi mystical rituals and habits given its rarity, softness and color properties. The symbolism of the camel and the great esteem in which it was held by traditional societies in the Middle East further add to that. The plain field allows the camel hair to shine, so to speak, and yields an abstract minimalist effect. We see a prayer mihrab at either end. The Heriz district where the tiny village of Bakhshayesh is located is not known for weaving small sized rugs, giving surviving examples like this tremendous appeal and importance too. Perfect condition. The softness of the texture has to be handled to be believed.
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