Antique Muri Turkman rug from Turkmenistan. 172x108 cms

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.

This antique rug from the 19th century from the Turkman Muri tribe is woven with a very tight knot density. All dyes are natural and include a very beautiful natural indigo blue.The design is elaborate with plenty of small motifs. All dyes are natural.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool              

Size: 172×108 cms

Origin: Muri Turkmen tribe, Afghanistan 

Date of weaving: XIX century