KASHMIR, NORTH INDIA, LATE 18TH CENTURY

Details

A FINELY WOVEN MUGHAL MIHRAB PRAYER MAT
KASHMIR, NORTH INDIA, LATE 18TH CENTURY
Of rectangular form, the blue field filled in with repeating floral patterns beneath a lobed arch, the spandrels with floriated branches, the wide borders with further floral meanders, on stretcher
42 5/8 x 28 ¼in. (108.4 x 71.8cm.)

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

The quality of weaving is extremely fine in this example, particularly in the hashiyas. Many prayer arches that survive today are found to be composed of elements from several jamawars, but the present example is clearly woven à disposition as a prayer arch and is not a composite piece. For other examples of Jamawar prayer mats, see Frank Ames, The Kashmir Shawl, Woodbridge, 1997, pages 310-312 for other examples of jamawar prayer arches

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