Zakatala "christian" prayer rug, 140 x 100 cm., 4'8" x 3'4",ca. 1850-1870. With bold graphics and good color harmony, it has a great tribal feel over it. The powerful designed yellow border reminds of Konya pieces, but also of some W-Chinese ones. There are old restorations in it and overall it has a high, soft pile. The aubergine christian cross in the top of the green mihrab is a very rare and odd accent. For a possible explanation i would like to refer to an article, 'Aspects of the contemporary ethnic situation in Azerbaijan', written by historician Aliaga Mamedov about the Ingiloi people, inhabitants of the Zakatala area and generally seen as descendants of the Albanian tribes once inhabiting the area. "It is known that after the Russians conquered the territory (1828), they forced Christianity on the region. However before 1834 only 32 Ingiloi had accepted Christianity. The tsarist government announced it would exempt those who accepted Christianity from paying tribute. Thus, tsarist Russia was able to achieve some success in converting the Zakataly district to Christianity. Villagers from the Ilisu section adopted Christianity between 1850 and 1856. They included Kakh, Alibeglo, Karagan, Kotuklu and Meshabash villages, and some of the residents of Shotavar. In 1858, the villages of Tasmalo, Zagiam, Lala-Pasha, Mirsaia and Engian adopted Christianity. However very soon afterwards many reverted to Islam, which survives to this day in the aforementioned villages."