Prayer Rug
second half of 19th century
Caucasus, Kuba District
Caucasus
The representation of hands on either side of the arch is found almost exclusively on Caucasian prayer carpets. They are traditionally associated with the placement of the faithful's hands during prayer. Additional symbolism has developed, based on Koranic references to the Hand of Allah, which can be associated with the magic number five, derived from the five basic beliefs of Islam, the five daily prayers, and the five members of the Prophet's family: Mohammed, Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husain.
Wool; plain weave with supplementary wrapping wefts forming cut pile ("Turkish"/Ghiordes) knots