KIRŞEHIR PRAYER RUGS IN THE ANKARA ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM COLLECTION: FEATURES OF MOTIF AND COMPOSITION

Abstract

The subject of this article is the motif and composition features of Kırşehir prayer rugs in the Ankara Ethnography Museum Collection. Within the scope of the study, after obtaining the necessary permissions from the Ankara Ethnography Museum, the museum inventory books were carefully scanned and rugs belonging to the Kırşehir region were determined. By examining the detected prayer rugs in the museum, the necessary information about their properties was transferred to the observation slips. Photographs were taken to document the prayer rugs visually. A catalog study was carried out with the information obtained. According to this information, Kırşehir rugs in the Ankara Ethnography Museum Collection are of the prayer rug type and are mostly depicted as a mihrab. The most depicted motifs from the mihrab niche; stylized floral motifs, landscape depictions and oil lamps. Apart from the mentioned motifs, there are examples where the mihrab niche is unadorned. In Kırşehir prayer rugs, it is seen that the corners of the mihrab, which are ornamental areas, the rectangular frames and borders above and below the mihrab are dominated by floral motifs. There are different examples of Kırşehir prayer rugs in terms of motif and composition features in museums and collections other than Ankara Ethnography Museum. This issue requires caution in using definitive statements about Kırşehir prayer rugs. In addition, every study on Kırşehir prayer rugs is important in terms of revealing the general stylistic features by making it possible to access more works.