KASHMIR, NORTH INDIA, MID 18TH CENTURY

The decoration on the mat reflects the rapid increase in popularity of distinctive floral patterns in painting and the decorative arts during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir (r.1605-1627). A comparable floral prayer mat is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Ames, 2007, fig.214, p.194). For comparable prayer mats which have sold at auction recently, see Christie's, London, online sale, 11-18 June 2019, lot 17; Christie's, South Kensington, 21 October 2016, lot 390; 9 October 2015, lot 139.