Semi-antique Turkman rug from Afghanistan. 281x86 cms

A semi-antique very tightly woven Turkman runner with an elaborate and intricate design. The Turkmen used the colour blue very sparely, so it is surprising to find a rug from this tribe with so much blue. The design is beautifully drawn with a big variety of vegetable motifs and multiple of elaborate borders, made possible only by the high knot density of this rug.This rug still has the original kilim ends that finish the rug. In mint condition. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool   

Size: 281×86 cms

Origin: Turkmen tribes, Afghanistan

Date of weaving: 1950s

 

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.