Close Look - Prayer Carpet

Prayer Carpet With Triple-Arch Design

This prayer rug is somewhat unusual in its depiction of a triple (as opposed to single) arch, which is supported by pairs of slender columns with faceted bases and ornate capitals

Four small domes, characteristic of Ottoman architecture, appear above the gateway, emphasizing the architectural design.

A lamp, symbolizing the presence of God, hangs from the central arch.

Tulips and carnations, typical of the Ottoman floral style, adorn the bottom of the gateway and the borders. The flowers may be a reference to Paradise, which in Islamic art is often represented by gardens and lush vegetation.

The slender coupled columns are characteristic of the Andalusian architecture of southern Spain

This carpet exemplifies the multiculturalism of Ottoman society. The slender coupled columns are characteristic of the Andalusian architecture of southern Spain. This motif's sudden appearance in Ottoman art has been linked to the immigration of Spanish Jews, who, after being expelled from Spain in 1492, found refuge in the Ottoman empire. The coupled-column motif likely migrated from Spain in the manuscripts and textiles of Spanish Jews, and was then adapted into the Ottoman visual repertoire. The physical make-up of the carpet also reflects cultural interconnections. Although the design is distinctly Ottoman, the technique and materials are typical of Egypt. This fusion of disparate traditions is due to the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman empire in 1517.

Below is a puzzle game consiting the middle part of the prayer carpet. The first image you see is what you would aim to puzzle together. To shuffle, press "New Game" at the bottom of it. To move a puzzle piece, simple press on it. Remember, The puzzle piece you want to move has to be near the empty space. Good luck in puzzling it together!