Item Ref
BM2162
This fantastic Turkmen Engsi (yurt door-rug), must rank as one of the very best in the world market and from the few illustrated in private collections.
Made by the Igdyr tribe - affiliated to the Chowdur and Yomut tribes - it would have been made around the beginning of the 19th century, possibly earlier.
The drawing of the design is superb, comprising an early, natural, deep aubergine-dye, used in the four symbolic gardens with tiny 'birds-heads' and quincunx symbols scattered throughout. It is important to observe how the these tiny symbols have minimal highlighting in the lower two panels and then appear to be more profusely highlighted in the upper two panels. Whatever the weaver was trying to tell us here has sadly been lost in the passage of time.
Particularly striking are the 'elems' - the two lower panels - the upper elem in magnificent glowing madder-red and the lower elem in an abrash of sky and mid blue - absolutely stunning!
I've thoroughly enjoyed it for a week and I must say, I'm sorry to see it go but now it has gone to a very good home where it will be treasured.
If there is a rug to die for then this is it!
Size: 1.76m x 1.33m (5' 9" x 4' 4").
SOLD