[Illustration: ANTIQUE CHINESE CUSHION RUG Size 2'2" × 2'2" FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE AUTHOR
KNOT: Senna. Eight to the inch horizontally and six vertically, making only forty-eight to the square inch, but the pile wool is so fluffy that it has the appearance of being quite closely woven.
This piece is undoubtedly a very old one. It has a long silky pile with deep Chinese blue ground, displaying a central medallion of floral forms, frets and swastikas woven in soft red, yellow, drab and white. Also corner motifs in similar colors, all of which is framed by three harmonious borders, an inner band consisting of white dots on a blue background; the main border stripe composed of graceful floral scrolls and blossoms in yellow, light blue, drab, red and white on a blue ground, and the other border of plain blue.
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THEIR INTENDED USE
In all ages fine rugs have been used for religious purposes by the faithful followers of the prophet. Every Mohammedan has his prayer rug, more or less valuable according to his means, which he always carries with him and upon which he prostrates himself five times a day when the appointed hour for prayer arrives.
By means of a small compass he spreads his rug so that the mihrab or niche points towards Mecca, where Mohammed's body lies. Then after removing all jewelry and money from his person, in order to appear before God in the most abject humility, he combs his beard, produces a rosary of ninety-nine beads and a dried cake of earth which came from Mecca. These he places just under the niche and then, resting his head on the earth with his hands outstretched on either side, he performs his devotions.
The mihrab or niche on which the worshipper places his head represents the door of a mosque and reminds those who use it of the sacred mosque at Mecca.
Occasionally prayer rugs will be found with three or more niches, especially among the Caucasian products. These are intended for children or for family worship. Others may have instead of a prayer niche, three small medallions, one each for the hands and one to receive the forehead.
For convenience the prayer rug is of small size, usually from two and one-half to four by four to six feet. Those intended for personal use frequently have the name of the owner on and are of the very best workmanship. Combs and other objects used in the act of worship are frequently depicted in or near the prayer niche.