Antique Mouri Turkman rug from Afghanistan. 455×87 cms

Spectacular antique Afghan rug woven entirely with natural dyes. The wool used is of the best quality, soft and shiny. The design is made up of small octagonal gules repeated throughout the central field. The weaver has used a large number of knots to make it, thus obtaining a resistant and durable rug. In perfect state of conservation.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool   

Size: 455×87

Origin: Turkmen tribes, Afghanistan

Date of weaving: 1940s

The turkmen are 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.