Medallion.—A Mongolian element which no doubt originated from the lotus. Found in most Chinese and many Persian rugs, especially the Gorevans, Serapi, Hamadans, Kirmans, Shiraz, and Khorasans. A modification known as the "pole medallion," in which the ends of the design project out like a pole, is especially common to the rugs of Hamadan and Shiraz. In the Chinese rugs the medallion is usually of the form known as the Circle of Happiness. (See doubletones at pp. [180], [188], [192], and [222]; also color plates at pp. [52] and [166].)
Mina Khani (see field design of plates at pp. [214] and [296]).—Named after Mina Khan, one of the ancient rulers in Western Persia. It is a combination of red, yellow, and parti-colored red and blue florals joined by rhomboidal vines of olive green in such a manner as to form a lattice arrangement. It is distinctly a Kurdish design, although it is found frequently in the Persian fabrics, especially in those from the province of Khorasan.
KHIVA BOKHARA PRAYER RUG
Size 4' × 2'6"
PROPERTY OF MR. L. A. SHORTELL, BOSTON, MASS.
(See page [280])
Mir (a border design).—So called after the village where it is said to have originated. It consists of small rectilinear flowers connected by an undulating vine and is an almost universal design of the Sarabands. Seldom seen in other fabrics. (See doubletone at p. [198].)
Mirror Design, see Trellis.