A BESHIR PRAYER RUG

SOUTH EAST TURKMENISTAN, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Details
A BESHIR PRAYER RUG
SOUTH EAST TURKMENISTAN, LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The ivory field with angular stylised polychrome plant motifs with two columns of polychrome chevron stripes terminating in hooked motifs, the angular mihrab arch above enclosing similar floral motifs, and stepped flowerheads, in a fox-red border of serrated leaf panels, both ends rewoven, areas of wear and old repair
6ft.2in. x 3ft.4in. (188cm. x 102cm.)

Lot Essay

Warp: goathair, charcoal, natural, Z2S
Weft: wool, light grey, natural, Z2S, two shoots alternating equally wavy
Pile: wool, Z2 asymmedtric knots to right, 0-20 degrees alternate warp depression, H6xV8, knot halves strongly displaced
Sides: two bundles of two body warps, wrapped in black goat hair
Ends: both rewoven
Colours:cream, light wine, black surmeh, medium blue, salmon, pale yellow, brownish dusty rose

This rug belongs to an extemely rare group of Ersari prayer rugs related by their ivory grounds with curling-stem leaf trellises and mihrabs terminating in stylised horn scrolls. At present, there appear to be only three other known similar examples: the S.M. Dudin Collection piece in the Museum of Ethnography, Leningrad (see Tzareva, Elena.:Rugs and Carpets from Central Asia, Leningrad, 1984, p.147, pl.98), the Carolwitz rug (see Herrmann, Eberhart.: Asiatische Teppich-und Textilkunst, Band 3, Munich, 1991 and a non-arched example offered by Phillips, London 16 June, 1992.

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