Banja Luca Prayer Arch

19th c  Banja Luca, The ground on this textile is a dark earth like color embellished with an interlocking scroll work on the surround. This piece is worked with a variety of applique designs and silk embroidery work. The dark arch field grounds an urn spilling over with floral motifs an important expression in the tradition of the prayer arch or Mihrab. The craftsman used subtler colors to represent earth and flowers contrasting nature, an embroidered garden in the desert.