Totemic Inscribed and dated Armenian Altar or Prayer Kazak. This rug has an inscribed date as well as a name in Armenian script that is partly damaged in the field. Many would call this a prayer rug. i prefer to call it an altar rug as it was likely meant as a wallhanging tapestry at home or at a church altar. This type of rug is documented in Jimmy Keshishian's "Inscribed Armenian Rugs of Yesteryear." Jimmy labeled them "Shield" Design Kazaks and claims he has only seen two others in his life. Indeed they are extremely rare -- arguably rarer than the famous "Star Kazaks."