This cotton prayer hanging has as its main motif a stepped architectural façade reminiscent of a mihrab (prayer niche) in mosques. The scalloped archway is adorned with peacocks standing against a background of scrolling flowers. It is likely that this was piece was used to help indicate the direction of prayer. An unusual feature of this prayer mat is the luxurious gerus (calandered) finish giving it a smooth and glossy look. This is likely to have been applied after this textile arrived in the Malay Peninsula.This hanging is a fine example of the high-quality textiles that were traded between India and Southeast Asia. Similar printed textiles were made for export mainly to the Iranian market where they were often used as door hangings and prayer cloths.
