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Antique Prayer-rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan.
Sold by Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
sold SA1121380
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2011
Browse dealers 112 items
  • About Us
    Dealing in antique and old tribal rugs, dowry weavings and decorative carpets from the near east and central asia since 1979.
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Id #SA1121380
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Antique Prayer-rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan.

19th century
Sold 31 May 2026 · Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
This “Antique Prayer-rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan” found a buyer.

It was listed by Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Antique Middle Eastern RugAntique Timuri RugBurgundy Tribal Rug Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This charming little prayer-rug is, I believe, an extremely rare type, made by a sub-tribe of the Timuri in western Afghanistan, during the early to mid 19th century.

The rug is in remarkable condition for its early age, retaining its plain-weave skirts at each end. The field design comprises three trees in glowing indigo-blue, rising upwards on an early aubergine-dye ground to a pointed mihrab outlined in yellow. Within the mihrab, the dark-brown dye colour has heavily corroded, indicating the dye, possibly pistachio-bark, was heavily mordanted with iron slag.

Particularly attractive is the inner zig-zag minor border, again, highlighted in yellow and the main border, also in that beautiful aubergine colour, depicting small, stylised flowers, highlighted in ivory and providing a powerful presence.

Baluch collectors take note! This is a very collectable little rug and as early in date as can be found. I currently know of no other similar examples published or in private collections worldwide. The rug has to be seen to be fully appreciated as the photos don't do it justice.

I purchased this little rug a year ago in Turkey and have had the pleasure of enjoying it for the past year. Now it is time to be enjoyed by another lucky person!

It should be treasured, hung on the wall and enjoyed.

Size: 1.22m x 1.00m (4' 0" x 3' 3").

Physical Dimensions
Height
122cm (48.03")
Width
100cm (39.37")
Declaration

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Timuri Prayer Rug to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1121380
Dealers Internal Reference
BM2137
Dealers Notes

Viewing by appointment only.

Description
This charming little prayer-rug is, I believe, an extremely rare type, made by a sub-tribe of the Timuri in western Afghanistan, during the early to mid 19th century.

The rug is in remarkable condition for its early age, retaining its plain-weave skirts at each end.

“
The field design comprises three trees in glowing indigo-blue, rising upwards on an early aubergine-dye ground to a pointed mihrab outlined in yellow.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Within the mihrab, the dark-brown dye colour has heavily corroded, indicating the dye, possibly pistachio-bark, was heavily mordanted with iron slag.

fig 1. An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends.
fig 1. Antique Prayer-rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan.

Particularly attractive is the inner zig-zag minor border, again, highlighted in yellow and the main border, also in that beautiful aubergine colour, depicting small, stylised flowers, highlighted in ivory and providing a powerful presence.

fig 2. An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends.
fig 2. Antique Prayer-rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan.

Baluch collectors take note! This is a very collectable little rug and as early in date as can be found. I currently know of no other similar examples published or in private collections worldwide. The rug has to be seen to be fully appreciated as the photos don't do it justice.

fig 3. An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends.
fig 3. Antique Prayer-rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan.

I purchased this little rug a year ago in Turkey and have had the pleasure of enjoying it for the past year. Now it is time to be enjoyed by another lucky person!

It should be treasured, hung on the wall and enjoyed.

Size: 1.22m x 1.00m (4' 0" x 3' 3").

Height
122cm (48.03")
Width
100cm (39.37")
Date of Manufacture

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Timuri Prayer Rug to the 1850s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1121380
Dealers Internal Ref
BM2137
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2011

Dealing in antique and old tribal rugs, dowry weavings and decorative carpets from the near east and central asia since 1979.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets Profile Page

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An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. SOLD31 MAY 26
1 / 9
Archive I An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. SOLD31 MAY 26

Antique Prayer-rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan.

Archive II An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View II
Archive III An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View III
Archive IV An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View IV
Archive V An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View V
Archive VI An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View VI
Archive VII An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Telephone 01451 824 447 or 07980 999 114
Location
North Cotswolds
Gloucestershire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/rugmac
Verified Since Oct 2011
Items For Sale 112
Items Sold 1,075
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Verified Since Oct 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: North Cotswolds , Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/rugmac
Verified
Oct 2011
For Sale
112
Sold
1,075
An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends.
Antique Prayer-Rug, Timuri Tribes, Western Afghanistan.
Ref: SA1121380
An antique Timuri prayer rug featuring a mihrab design, rich burgundy and blue tones, and geometric motifs with knotted fringe ends.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectRugs
  • Period19th century
  • StyleTribal Nomadic
  • MaterialWool, Cotton
  • ColourBurgundy
  • MotifsMihrab arch, Tree of life, Geometric guls, Fringed ends
  • SizeH 122 cm (48 in) x W 100 cm (39 in)

FAQs

Timuri prayer rugs are hand-knotted textiles crafted by nomadic and semi-nomadic Timuri tribes residing in the border regions of western Afghanistan and eastern Iran, traditionally characterised by niche designs used for daily prayers.

These rugs are typically constructed with hand-spun wool piles on wool or cotton warps andwefts, utilising natural vegetable dyes derived from plants, roots, and insects to achieve rich, enduring colours.

Authenticity is identified through organic dye variations, hand-spun asymmetrical knots, wool quality, nomadic motifs such as tree of life patterns, and natural wear consistent with age and tribal use.

An antique tribal rug adds texture and heritage to contemporary spaces, functioning effectively as a focal point when paired with minimalist furniture, neutral flooring, or layered over larger sisal carpets.

Preserve antique rugs by keeping them out of direct sunlight, vacuuming gently without a rotating brush roll, using a breathable rug underlay, and arranging for professional specialist washing when necessary.
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