Beshir "Dudin" Prayer Rug

Prayer rugs of the Middle Amu Darya represent a prime example of high carpet-weaving mastery and are a significant element of the region's cultural heritage. Pieces of this type, known as "namazlyks," have gained international recognition under the name "Beshir namazlyks" and are in high demand at international auctions due to their rarity and exceptional quality of execution. This piece is based on a namazlyk whose antique original is kept in the collection of the Russian Museum of Ethnography in Saint Petersburg. This specific piece, known as the "Dudin namazlyk," was acquired for the museum by the collection's founder, researcher of Central Asian decorative and applied arts, Samuil Martynovich Dudin, during his ethnographic expedition to the Transcaspian region. This namazlyk dates back to the 17th — early 18th century, confirming its cultural and historical significance and high collectible value.