This carpet presents a portrait of a single, large, flowering plant framed in a niche. It was probably produced early in Shah Jahan’s reign, is closely related to a similarly designed carpet with a finer weave, showing that cartoons might have been used to create carpets of varying grades. Although subtle shadings were not possible in the coarsely woven rugs, some attempt at shading can be seen. Rugs with directional designs were commonly called prayer rugs, but it is more likely they were used as qanats, or tent screens. Qanats surrounded the tents of the imperial cities set up when the emperor was traveling.