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Lot Essay
Both this asmalyk and the following lot, are of the type most commonly associated with the work of the Tekke tribe. They were used predominantly in ceremonial processions where they decorated either side of the bride's camel in either a pentagonal or rectangular form or occasionally, if woven in wollen pile, of heptagonal form. Asmalyks were therefore often woven in pairs which would account for the remarkable similarity between this lot and the following, (Michael Franses, Embroidered Tekke Asmalyk, Turkoman Studies I, London, 1980, Chapter 15, pp.164-171.)
Both examples use wool with occasional touches of red and yellow silk detailing on an ivory wool ground. The particularly spacious depiction of the five ascending flower stems with trailing floral sprays in these two lots is found in other embroideries from further East, echoing both in design and technique the embroidered suzani textiles of Uzbekistan.
The more unusual border of circular repeated motifs is found in an example in a private collection in Munich (Michael Franses, op. cit., pl.361, p167.) For a list of further examples of the group please see "Auction Price guide", Hali 136, September-October 2004, p.119).
Both examples use wool with occasional touches of red and yellow silk detailing on an ivory wool ground. The particularly spacious depiction of the five ascending flower stems with trailing floral sprays in these two lots is found in other embroideries from further East, echoing both in design and technique the embroidered suzani textiles of Uzbekistan.
The more unusual border of circular repeated motifs is found in an example in a private collection in Munich (Michael Franses, op. cit., pl.361, p167.) For a list of further examples of the group please see "Auction Price guide", Hali 136, September-October 2004, p.119).