Prayer Carpet, Kermanshah

This wool pile carpet combines two common rug compositions found in a number of different cultures: the niche or arched opening and the central “tree of life.” Here, the niche is well-defined but does not necessarily indicate use as a prayer carpet, and the “tree of life” is composed of sinuous branches. At the base of the tree are two small deer. Birds and other plants populate the rest of the main field and thick borders.