WOVEN TREASURES: TEXTILES FROM THE JASLEEN DHAMIJA COLLECTION (19-20 OCTOBER 2016)

Konya, in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, has always been an

important centre for art, culture and trade. But it is most famously known

for the shrine of Jalaluddin Rumi, who established the mystical order of the

Whirling Dervishes in the town in the 13

century. The town continues to

be an important pilgrimage site for Sufis.

This prayer rug or

jainamaz

, finely woven in the tapestry technique, was

probably made as a hanging and not for daily use. The highly defined

mihrab

in the centre is accentuated on the top by a motif associated with

the horns of a ram. Its central plain is filled with elegant hangings, which

could allude to lamps. The outer borders are filled with a repetitive pattern

of hexagonal shapes, with alternating pairs varying in design and colour.

The present lot is said to contain features similar to the Elibelinde – the

mother-goddess who represents both male and female fertility.

SUFI PRAYER RUG

KONYA, TURKEY, CIRCA 1930

Handspun and handwoven cotton warp, wool weft, natural dyes

56.25 x 77.75 in (143 x 198 cm)

$ 3,035 - 4,550

Rs 2,00,000 - 3,00,000

ZOROASTRIAN IKAT RITUAL SOFREH

YAZD, IRAN, LATE 19

CENTURY

Handspun and handwoven cotton warp and weft

with silk-velvet

ikat

pile, natural dyes

44 x 188.75 in (112 x 480 cm)

$ 12,125 - 15,155

Rs 8,00,000 - 10,00,000

NONEXPORTABLE

The Persian word

sofreh

is derived from the Arabic

sufra,

meaning table

cover. It refers to a ritual cloth that is spread on the ground on which to

place sacred offerings, usually food. These cloths were used in Fire Temples

or at ceremonies such as those associated with rites of passage, marriage

and mourning.

Yazd was the centre of Zoroastrianism in Iran and many ritual textiles

were made there. Some had simple striped designs, or were woven in a

monotone colour, while others were more elaborate. This velvet

ikat sofreh

is an unusual piece as it combines the techniques of both

ikat

and velvet

weaving. The narrow band in the centre hosts a row of diamonds, each

filled with smaller diamonds and flanked on four sides by a small flower

with leaves on either side. The border is more typical of the

ikat

design

with small medallions placed within narrow bands.

While the

ikat

technique has survived, the one to make velvet was lost

over time, making the present lot an extremely rare and important piece.

Jasleen Dhamija acquired this piece from a Zoroastrian family living in

Yazd, in 1971-72. Ritual

sofrehs

can, on occasion, be found with some old

Parsi families where they are still used for their rituals.