Antique Turkman rug from Afghanistan. 288x212 cms

A rare, hard-to-find antique Turkmen rug in a rich, deep red colour. The main field features three columns of güls, each consisting of seven motifs.

Dating from the 1960s, this rug has a deep, long pile with a wonderfully thick texture. Its sturdy and robust construction makes it ideal for everyday use, ensuring it will last for decades on the floor.

Its unusual, almost square shape and practical size make it a particularly distinctive piece.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool   

Size: 288×212 cms

Origin: Turkmen tribes, Afghanistan

Date of weaving: 1960s

The turkmenare people who speak a language belonging to the southwestern branch of the Turkic languages. The majority live in Turkmenistan and in neighbouring parts of Central Asia and numbered more than 6 million at the beginning of the 21st century. About one-third of the total population lives in Iran, especially in the north, and another 500,000 live in northeastern and northwestern Afghanistan.  These groups are called the Transcaspian Turkmen. Pockets of Turkmen are found in northern Iraq and Syria. Smaller groups live in central Turkey. The territory of the Turkmen is generally arid. They were by tradition a nomadic pastoral people, living in tent villages and raising sheep, goats, horses, camels, asses, and cattle.