Semi-antique Turkman rug from Afghanistan. 105x83 cms

A very tightly woven semi-antique Turkman prayer rug. The main field has a very finely worked grid or lattice work. The Mihrab or prayer niche has an unusual dotted design. The border is with geometric motifs and is very tidy and organised. The colour changes, called abrash, are very beautiful in this rug. The quality of the weaving is very fine, the pile dense and high and it is heavy rug to the handle, ideal for heavy traffic areas. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 105×83 cms

Origin: Turkmen, Turkey

Date of weaving: 1960s

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.