Sumak miniature prayer mat (?), Shahsavan tribe, Khamseh region, Northwest Persia, circa 1880, 49 x 59 cm (19.5 x 23 inches) Part of our current online exhibition https://www.albertolevi.com/exhibitions/from-eurasia-with-love/ An absolutely unique piece, with a directional design and shape that leads me to believe that it's not a bag face of sorts but it could be a small prayer rug, commissioned in a transportable format. Here the blue niche contains two beautifully drawn Lesghi stars, which is a motif present on a group of bags from the Khamseh region, framed by a yellow border decorated by the characteristic 'abdal-burun' motif. The weaver makes a very creative use of the elements at her disposal in order to emphasise the niche design, yet maintaining the refined balance typical of the weaving culture of the area. Perhaps the closest parallel to this piece can be seen on a pair of prayer mats woven with vegetable fibers in the McCoy Jones collection (see c. Cootner 'Anatolian Kilims', 1990, plates 111-112, p. 259).