ges, the rugs which they take with them having been
preserved from pollution by being rolled up until the journey is begun,
or until the hour of prayer arrives. It does not matter to these
followers of Mohammed how unclean a rug that is on the floor may be,
because over it they place the prayer rug when their devotions begin.

About two hundred years ago small embroidered rugs were largely made in
Persia, chiefly at Ispahan. These were prayer rugs, and on each of them,
near one end, was a small embroidered mark to show where the bit of
sacred earth from Mecca was to be placed. In obedience to a law in the
Koran that the head must be bowed to the ground in prayer, this was
touched by the forehead when the prostrations were made, and so the
letter of the law was carried out. The custom still prevails. The
Persian women who make the finest prayer rugs seldom weave any other
kind of rug. But the encroachments of civilization and commerce have
changed the original purpose of the prayer rug. Once it was sacred, and
the masterpieces of workmanship in the products of Asia Minor were
devotional in character. Upon these rugs many a soul prostrated himself
before Allah in reverence; but now in the further interior only is the
prayer rug made for aught but commerce.

As a class the modern Anatolian prayer rugs are quite inferior, being
woven irregularly, and without regard to details or finishing; yet there
are among them some fine specimens of Anatolian weaving. The famous
prayer rugs of Asia Minor (Anatolian) made at Ghiordes, Kulah, Laodicea,
and Meles are described in preceding pages. They are the joy of the
collector and the artist. The antique Ghiordes rugs are really fine in
colors, generally with much pale green, red, or blue. The design most
frequently seen is the Tree of Life. One special kind is distinguished
by a yellow vine on a dark blue field.

[Illustration: OLD ANATOLIAN PRAYER RUG

SIZE, 6 x 3.8

_A deep, soft pile, firmness of texture, and superb coloring,
characterize this rug. The lower section of the field is of cherry-red;
the upper portion is a lighter shade of red, but blending perfectly, and
forming by its shape at the top the niche which is characteristic of the
prayer rug. This extends into the wonderful moss green of the upper
section. The two tones (which appear exaggerated in the black and white
plate) suggest the thought of a passing shadow upon a mossy bed. The red
and green of the field are se