Antique Baluche Tribal 56" Wool Prayer Rug Circa 1890 from Pakistan

Description

This item has been appraised
A Baluche Prayer, Baluchistan, Wool on Wool Foundation
The camel mihrab with an ascending tree issuing angular branches ending in leaves supported by flower heads, within winged palmette rectangular spandrels, a red continuous meandering leaf vine border.
Date: Circa 1890
The style of the design and the colors used confirm this to be of the origin stated. The Baluche tribal group are well known for the production of rugs based on tradition which dates back centuries. The designs and pattern is stylised and traditionally display flora and fauna forms. In this case, stylised flora forms are presented. The directional arched format is of Prayer rug format, and the term 'mihrab' refers to the main field area with the stylised tree. The colors seen here are traditional to the group. The camel tone as seen here in the central field indicates that this rug was made towards the end of the 19th century or early years of the 20th century.
The Baloch or Baluch are a people who live mainly in the Balochistan region of the southeastern-most edge of the Iranian plateau in Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, as well as in the Arabian Peninsula. They mainly speak the Balochi language, a branch of Northwestern Iranian languages, and are an Iranic people.