A vintage Shia prayer kilim or janamaz from Iran. 91x57 cms

A vintage Shia prayer kilim, known as a janamaz, with a beautifully minimalist aesthetic. The central field is left intentionally undecorated, apart from a small area containing woven script. When I acquire janamaz pieces, this inscription often reads “Allah,” “Ali,” or other religious text.

However, before export, my contacts in Iran—aware that these kilims will likely be used in non-Muslim homes—carefully reweave the letters to make them partially illegible. This is done out of respect, ensuring that future owners do not unknowingly walk on the name of God. In this example, close inspection of the warp and weft reveals the subtly rewoven areas around the inscription.

The kilim features a plain central field in undyed natural wool, symbolizing the earth (see below for more information). It has been woven with finely spun wool, allowing the weaver to achieve remarkable detail in the intricate border, rendered in rich red and green tones. A small yet exceptional kilim of great beauty and cultural significance.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep’s wool
Size: 91 × 57 cm
Origin: Qashqai tribe, Iran
Woven in: the 1990s

It is generally accepted that Shiite Muslims, unlike Sunnis, do not use specifically designed kilims or prayer rugs, as they pray directly on a rug, cloth, the ground, a stone, or on a turbah (or mohr in Persian).

However, during the past 26 years, on my frequent trips to southern Iran, I have repeatedly observed that Shiite Muslims in southern Iran use a type of small kilim that functions as a janamaz or prayer kilim. I have acquired some of these small kilims directly from the person who used them for prayer, and on numerous occasions it has been confirmed to me that this type of kilim is used during prayer.

The small size of these prayer kilims is due to their function of covering only the area of the floor where the worshipper will place their head. The material used is always wool, which in most cases is left in its natural undyed color, representing the earth. It is also significant that many of these kilims have been woven with camel wool in the central field.