Antique Turkmen Mafrash, Teke Tribes, Merv Oasis, Turkmenistan, Central Asia.
Price
£2,350
| $3,157 USD | €2,816 EUR
Item Ref
BM/TM
Description
The Turkmen 'mafrash’ was a small bag; smaller than a 'torba' (medium-size bag) and a 'chuval' (large storage bag), and specifically made for containing small personal items such as a mirror and jewellery.Mafrash are few and far between these days and to find one in very good condition with original tassels, is very rare! But even more rare, dare I say, is this one, with its horizontal row of small quadrupeds - possibly deer or gazelle - along the very top border. Made by Teke tribes in the Merv Oasis circa 1860-1870, the mafrash is in excellent overall, original condition with the glowing red field containing eight small Teke 'guls' (tribal crests) and an attractive 'elem' or skirt above the tassels. To top it all, there are tiny knots of silk in just a few areas. It must have been very special to the weaver, a utilitarian item that was possibly a dowry piece and never intended for commercial sale!
Size: 81 x 30cm (2' 8" x 1' 0") excluding tassels.
Viewing by appointment only.
Internal Ref: BM/TM
Dimensions
Height = 30 cm (12")Width = 81 cm (32")
Depth = 0 cm (0")
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