Antique Turkmen Storage Bag-Face (chuval), Ersary Tribes of Beshir, Turkmenistan, Central Asia.
Price
£2,400
| $3,228 USD | €2,768 EUR
Item Ref
BM2241
Description
A magnificent storage bag-face 'chuval' made by the Erasry Turkmen in the region of Beshir during the mid to third quarter of the 19th century.When it was first made, usually in pairs, and used in nomadic life, it would have had a flatwoven back and clothes etc. would have been stored in these large bags, but sadly the back has been removed at some point in the past.
Nevertheless, this chuval is in excellent overall condition and comprises what might be called a fairly typical Beshir design, based on ikat patterns. It has a lovely range of natural colours including a subtle green and golden-yellow.
The Ersary Turkmen of Beshir suffered a harsh drought in the mid 19th century and they feared for their survival but a young woman of the tribe was quoted as saying "We may lack water, but we can weave strength together".
With threads of wool from every family, she made a rug filled with protective symbols, blessings and signs of unity. When the rug was placed in the chief's yurt, its presence inspired courage. Soon, the rains returned and the tribe thrived, remembering that like the sacred threads, their strength lay in being bound together.
Size: 1.48 x 1.05m (4' 10" x 3' 5").
Viewing by appointment only.
Internal Ref: BM2241
Dimensions
Height = 105 cm (42")Width = 148 cm (58")
Depth = 0 cm (0")
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