A MARASALI NICHE RUG, EAST CAUCASUS

Herrmann notes in respect of this rug: “In this carpet from Marasa the niche is defined by the angular system 12 x ∠ 1:7 (97.56°) for the major standstill of the moon within the metonic moon cycle. The linear botehs are filled with various patterns recording stations of the afterlife path before arriving at the Golden door. In relation to the numerical inscriptions 13 and 30 from left to right and viceversa it will be daring to interpret it as a Hegira year. A new approach would read it as an expression of sun and star levels. For the niche definition the geometrical scheme of the major standstill of the moon 12 x ∠ 1:7 = 97.56° (blue outlines) has been applied with a striking precision.”