Pljevlja: Protected carpet of Hussein Pasha mosque

The Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property has declared the carpet of the Hussein Pasha mosque in Pljevlja to be a cultural asset of national importance.

In the explanation of the decision on the declaration as a cultural asset, it is stated that the carpet of the Hussein Pasha mosque in Pljevlja is an ethnographic and artistic object with the property of an antique, an authentic asset, with a high degree of preservation, four and a half centuries old.

It has an area of ​​more than 100 square meters and belongs to the few preserved carpets of larger dimensions from the 16th century.

"It was made specifically for the Pljeval mosque in one of the Egyptian (Egyptian) or other weaving mills of the Ottoman Empire. The rug was chosen, ordered and delivered to his endowment, to the Pljevlja mosque, by Husein pasha Boljanić, a native of the Pljevlja area, and at the time of the construction and furnishing of the mosque, he was the governor (vizier) of the Ottoman possessions in Egypt. The carpet consists of two parts: a larger one for the mosque's prayer area (10,9 by 10,9 meters) and a smaller carpet for the mahvil (prayer area for women, 9 x 5 meters.) The large carpet is approximately square in shape like the base of the mosque , with cut and cut parts that leave out the positions of the spaces and rooms inside the mosque," the decision states.

The carpet is woolen, woven with a thicker weft and a front of different colors, dyed with colors of natural origin.

It is also noted that the carpet of Hussein Pasha's mosque has no parallels in Montenegrin cultural and historical heritage.

"It is an object of traditional culture, but it was not made on today's Montenegrin soil, nor is it a product of traditional knowledge and skills that were practiced or are being practiced by carpet, serjad or (h)asura makers in Pljevlje, Petnjica, Gusinje, Plav, Bijelo Polje, Malesia and other places with carpet making as a traditional heritage".

It is noted that the carpet is in poor condition and has recently been stored in an inappropriate manner.

"The carpet has numerous chemical and physical damages. Physical from use, improper handling and improper storage. Chemical damage is caused by the action of moisture and other factors from the environment in which it was located, such as use, light, impurities, dust, harmful gases, etc. Due to the ease of handling and the position it was in, the smaller carpet is in better condition than the large one. In addition, it is worn, partially torn, stretched, partially missing fringes, stained and soiled. The larger carpet is significantly worn, torn, stretched, stained, soiled and torn in some places. The most endangered is the environment, which is the most damaged. Only traces of the weaving base have been preserved in that place. It was deposited in unsuitable climatic conditions, which can be seen by the abundant dirt and thick dust that falls out and spreads at the slightest touch of the material. The presence of moisture, the smell of rotting is also evident".

On the recommendation and help of the conservator, preventive protection was carried out.

“The partially developed carpet is gently wrapped in a cotton white canvas to prevent uneven drying and reduce the brittleness of the material, pending the recommended immediate and full conservation treatment. With urgency and a warning that the last move of the carpet to a space with different micro-climate conditions (smallness of space, humidity, lighting, pollution...). can further accelerate and lead to irreversible damage and loss of the integrity of the property," the decision states.

In order to improve the condition of the carpet, a conservation and restoration project will be carried out, which includes testing the material on the basis of which the cleaning method will be determined, and the reconstruction of the missing parts of the carpet will be carried out.