Vintage Suzani, embroidered prayer mat (Joinomoz), with black cotton ground cloth and silk embroidery in hot pink, pink, purple and orange. Backed with black cotton.
Date unknown, possibly 1950 - 1980s.
Joinomoz was often part of a woman's dowry. Far lighter to transport than a carpet, these mats allowed a man to have a clean, defined area available for prayer whenever he might be. The arch represents the mihrab in a mosque, which points the way to Mecca.
This is a rather large suzani, not sure if it was used as a prayer mat, despite the arch embroidery.
Country of origin : Uzbekistan
218 x 162 cm