This cotton mat was
produced in India for the Persian market. The arch design, common in prayer
mats and rugs, orients the worshipper toward Mecca. Although the small
inscriptions in the upper corners can be read as “Prayer has begun,” a few of
the letter forms have been misinterpreted, indicating that they were copied by someone
who did not understand Arabic. Indian textile workshops adapted local decorative
styles and techniques to a wide variety of objects, serving markets across the
globe.