Pair of Antique Turkmen Asmalyks, Yomut Tribe, ...
Item Ref
BM1
A handsome pair of Yomut Turmen asmalyks, made during the second half of the 19th century and complete with tassels.
Asmalyks were always made in pairs, generally by the young bride or her mother, and were presented to the bridegroom at the wedding ceremony as part of her dowry. The five-sided shape symbolised power and fertility, so protection and lots of children. The asmalyks were tied to the bridal camel during the wedding procession after which they were hung-up in the wedding yurt for the rest of their married lives.
Asmalyks, like the many utilitarian bags and trappings, were highly-prised possessions and were never intended for sale.
Illustrated is one of the pair of asmalyks which are in amazing condition for their age.
Size: 1.10m x 0.65m (3' 7" x 2' 2") excluding tassels.
The price stated is for the pair.
Asmalyks were always made in pairs, generally by the young bride or her mother, and were presented to the bridegroom at the wedding ceremony as part of her dowry. The five-sided shape symbolised power and fertility, so protection and lots of children. The asmalyks were tied to the bridal camel during the wedding procession after which they were hung-up in the wedding yurt for the rest of their married lives.
Asmalyks, like the many utilitarian bags and trappings, were highly-prised possessions and were never intended for sale.
Illustrated is one of the pair of asmalyks which are in amazing condition for their age.
Size: 1.10m x 0.65m (3' 7" x 2' 2") excluding tassels.
The price stated is for the pair.
£3,800
Pair Antique Turkmen Asmalyks, Yomut Tribe, Trans-Caspian ...
Item Ref
BM1
A handsome pair of Yomut Turmen asmalyks, made during the second half of the 19th century and complete with tassels.
Asmalyks were always made in pairs, generally by the young bride or her mother, and were presented to the bridegroom at the wedding ceremony as part of her dowry. The five-sided shape symbolised power and fertility, so protection and lots of children. The asmalyks were tied to the bridal camel during the wedding procession after which they were hung-up in the wedding yurt for the rest of their married lives.
Asmalyks, like the many utilitarian bags and trappings, were highly-prised possessions and were never intended for sale.
Illustrated is one of the pair of asmalyks which are in amazing condition for their age.
Size: 1.10m x 0.65m (3' 7" x 2' 2") excluding tassels.
The price stated is for the pair.
Asmalyks were always made in pairs, generally by the young bride or her mother, and were presented to the bridegroom at the wedding ceremony as part of her dowry. The five-sided shape symbolised power and fertility, so protection and lots of children. The asmalyks were tied to the bridal camel during the wedding procession after which they were hung-up in the wedding yurt for the rest of their married lives.
Asmalyks, like the many utilitarian bags and trappings, were highly-prised possessions and were never intended for sale.
Illustrated is one of the pair of asmalyks which are in amazing condition for their age.
Size: 1.10m x 0.65m (3' 7" x 2' 2") excluding tassels.
The price stated is for the pair.
£3,800
Antique Turkmen Torba, Teke Tribes, Akhal Oasis, ...
Item Ref
BM2236
This fabulous Torba (personal belongings bag) was made by Teke Turkmen tribes in the Akhal Oasis, Turkmenistan, during the first half to middle 19th century.
It is in amazing, complete condition with its original ivory wool, plain-weave back. The face of the torba in glowing madder-red contains four vertical rows of three Teke 'guls' (tribal crests) and quite unusually retains its original tassels at the base of the bag.
This torba is amongst the very best of early Teke work with highlights of magenta silk within the guls and in the border.
Size: 1.17m x 0.41m (3' 10" x 1' 4").
It is in amazing, complete condition with its original ivory wool, plain-weave back. The face of the torba in glowing madder-red contains four vertical rows of three Teke 'guls' (tribal crests) and quite unusually retains its original tassels at the base of the bag.
This torba is amongst the very best of early Teke work with highlights of magenta silk within the guls and in the border.
Size: 1.17m x 0.41m (3' 10" x 1' 4").
£3,500
Antique Turkmen Asmalyk, Karadashli Tribe, Middle Amu ...
Item Ref
BM2290
This magnificent Turkmen Asmalyk was made by the Karadashli tribes in the Middle Amu Darya region of Turkmenistan during the mid 19th century.
It is important to look at the close-up photos to see the wonderful mix of colours, particularly the glowing mid-blue.
Asmalyks were made in pairs and were part of the bride's dowry. They were hung from the flanks of the wedding camel while the bride rode to her wedding and would afterwards, be presented to her future husband along with the rest of her dowry weavings. The asmalyks would then be hung up in the wedding yurt for the rest of their married lives together and would symbolise power and fertility.
This is a very collectable weaving from an ancient tradition that sadly, is now gone.
Size: 0.71m x 1.22m (2' 4" x 4' 0")
It is important to look at the close-up photos to see the wonderful mix of colours, particularly the glowing mid-blue.
Asmalyks were made in pairs and were part of the bride's dowry. They were hung from the flanks of the wedding camel while the bride rode to her wedding and would afterwards, be presented to her future husband along with the rest of her dowry weavings. The asmalyks would then be hung up in the wedding yurt for the rest of their married lives together and would symbolise power and fertility.
This is a very collectable weaving from an ancient tradition that sadly, is now gone.
Size: 0.71m x 1.22m (2' 4" x 4' 0")
£2,750
Antique Turkmen Mafrash Fragment, Teke Tribes, Merv ...
Item Ref
BM2080
A very rare and late 18th century Turkmen Mafrash fragment, made by Teke tribes in the Merv Oasis, Turkmenistan.
Although fragmented, this beautiful early example of Teke work, shows the amazing fineness of weave and quality of the madder dye, prior to the tribe becoming the most powerful Turkmen tribe after the defeat of the Salor to the Persian Qajars in 1834.
Note the six Teke guls dominating the field and surrounded on three sides by stylised deer, more or less intact, and rare to find on these early pieces. The remains of the stunning 'tree' elem can still be seen.
This mafrash has been mounted on a wooden frame covered with hessian to preserve it and ready for wall mounting.
Fragment size: 73 cm x 24cm (2' 5" x 9"). Frame size: 84cm x 36cm (2' 9" x 1' 2").
Although fragmented, this beautiful early example of Teke work, shows the amazing fineness of weave and quality of the madder dye, prior to the tribe becoming the most powerful Turkmen tribe after the defeat of the Salor to the Persian Qajars in 1834.
Note the six Teke guls dominating the field and surrounded on three sides by stylised deer, more or less intact, and rare to find on these early pieces. The remains of the stunning 'tree' elem can still be seen.
This mafrash has been mounted on a wooden frame covered with hessian to preserve it and ready for wall mounting.
Fragment size: 73 cm x 24cm (2' 5" x 9"). Frame size: 84cm x 36cm (2' 9" x 1' 2").
£2,350
Antique Turkmen Mafrash Fragment, Teke Tribe, Akhal ...
Item Ref
BM2209
This very rare fragment of what was once a complete Teke Turkmen mafrash (small personal belongings bag) dates to the late 18th century.
Mounted on a wood frame and covered in hessian, a small square has been cut-out in the back of the hessian to show the incredible fineness of weave in this mafrash (see photo attached).
The remains of one of possibly two or three ivory panels, shows the depiction of a vertical 'tree' with an 'ashik' symbol in the centre and highlighted in cochineal-dye silk. The beautiful range of natural-dye colours is simply stunning and not forgetting the 'elem' or lower skirt with its depiction of stylised deer or even camels? Charming!
Fragment size: 35cm x 31cm (14" x 12"). Frame size: 43cm x 39cm (17" x 15").
Mounted on a wood frame and covered in hessian, a small square has been cut-out in the back of the hessian to show the incredible fineness of weave in this mafrash (see photo attached).
The remains of one of possibly two or three ivory panels, shows the depiction of a vertical 'tree' with an 'ashik' symbol in the centre and highlighted in cochineal-dye silk. The beautiful range of natural-dye colours is simply stunning and not forgetting the 'elem' or lower skirt with its depiction of stylised deer or even camels? Charming!
Fragment size: 35cm x 31cm (14" x 12"). Frame size: 43cm x 39cm (17" x 15").
£2,350
Antique Large Turkmen Storage Bagface, Ersary Tribes, ...
Item Ref
BM2241
This magnificent storage bagface or 'chuval' was made by Ersary Turkmen in the region of Beshir during the third quarter of the nineteenth century.
Such large chuvals were normally made in pairs and used in nomadic life to store clothes, bedding, pots and pans etc. with each bag hung on the flanks of the camels during migrations. In this case, the bag has lost its plain-weave back, which I suspect was either damaged and removed or cut away by some unscrupulous dealer in Turkmenistan in order to make more money as a floor rug!
Nevertheless, this bagface is in excellent overall condition, with a beautiful range of natural colours including a subtle green and golden-yellow. |It has a tiny re-weave in one corner.
The Ersary Turkmen of Beshir suffered a harsh drought in the mid 19th century and, fearing for their survival, 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 Khan'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: 1.00m x 1.48m (3' 3" x 4' 10").
Such large chuvals were normally made in pairs and used in nomadic life to store clothes, bedding, pots and pans etc. with each bag hung on the flanks of the camels during migrations. In this case, the bag has lost its plain-weave back, which I suspect was either damaged and removed or cut away by some unscrupulous dealer in Turkmenistan in order to make more money as a floor rug!
Nevertheless, this bagface is in excellent overall condition, with a beautiful range of natural colours including a subtle green and golden-yellow. |It has a tiny re-weave in one corner.
The Ersary Turkmen of Beshir suffered a harsh drought in the mid 19th century and, fearing for their survival, 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 Khan'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: 1.00m x 1.48m (3' 3" x 4' 10").
£2,350
Antique Turkmen Ak Chuval, Teke Tribes, Turkmenistan, ...
Item Ref
BM2256
The term 'ak chuval' refers to a Turkmen storage bag comprising horizontal bands of knotted pile interspersed with madder-red plain-weave. The ivory base panel is knotted in fine cotton comprising stylised trees.
The quality in terms of weave is phenomenal, bearing in mind such pieces were knotted and woven on horizontal looms in nomadic conditions. Ak chuvals like this can be every bit as fine as a town or city rug made on vertical looms.
The chuval is missing its ivory plain-weave back and the remains of this can be seen below the tree panel. It is in very good overall condition albeit with a little damage to the top, right-hand corner which has been repaired after the original hanging cord pulled the corner during hard use. Some slight damage can also be seen to the lower right-hand corner. Because of the exceptionally fine knotting, I have decided to leave the damaged area as they are as the cost of restoration would be excessive.
This is a magnificent ak chuval, woven by Teke Turkmen around the mid 19th century.
Size: 1.22m x 0.76m (4' 0" x 2' 6").
The quality in terms of weave is phenomenal, bearing in mind such pieces were knotted and woven on horizontal looms in nomadic conditions. Ak chuvals like this can be every bit as fine as a town or city rug made on vertical looms.
The chuval is missing its ivory plain-weave back and the remains of this can be seen below the tree panel. It is in very good overall condition albeit with a little damage to the top, right-hand corner which has been repaired after the original hanging cord pulled the corner during hard use. Some slight damage can also be seen to the lower right-hand corner. Because of the exceptionally fine knotting, I have decided to leave the damaged area as they are as the cost of restoration would be excessive.
This is a magnificent ak chuval, woven by Teke Turkmen around the mid 19th century.
Size: 1.22m x 0.76m (4' 0" x 2' 6").
£2,250
Antique Turkmen Chuval, Teke Tribes, Akhal Oasis, ...
Item Ref
BM2182
This amazing Teke Turkmen 'chuval' (storage-bag) has to be seen and handled to appreciate the incredible fineness of weave. If I say it is like silk-velvet, that might be a good general description!
The beautiful cochineal-dye ground cointains three vertical columns of three Teke 'guls' (tribal crests) interspersed with minor guls, where the field gives the impression of disappearing under the borders and out into infinity. The bottom 'elem' or skirt contains stylised plants or trees.
Made during the early to mid 19th century by Teke tribes in the Akhal Oasis, the chuval is in very good overall condition albeit having a small tear in the upper centre which in my mind, doesn't detract from the overall quality of this fantastic piece, and two areas in the top right and left corners which have been repaired, probably due to the original tie-cords having put a strain on the corners of the bag when hung on the camels.
Chuvals were made in pairs with plain-weave backs and hung on the flanks of the camels during migrations. This chuval has lost its plain-weave back.
Size: 1.34 x 0.80m (4' 5" x 2' 7").
The beautiful cochineal-dye ground cointains three vertical columns of three Teke 'guls' (tribal crests) interspersed with minor guls, where the field gives the impression of disappearing under the borders and out into infinity. The bottom 'elem' or skirt contains stylised plants or trees.
Made during the early to mid 19th century by Teke tribes in the Akhal Oasis, the chuval is in very good overall condition albeit having a small tear in the upper centre which in my mind, doesn't detract from the overall quality of this fantastic piece, and two areas in the top right and left corners which have been repaired, probably due to the original tie-cords having put a strain on the corners of the bag when hung on the camels.
Chuvals were made in pairs with plain-weave backs and hung on the flanks of the camels during migrations. This chuval has lost its plain-weave back.
Size: 1.34 x 0.80m (4' 5" x 2' 7").
£2,200
Antique Turkmen Gapylyk/Kaplyk, Ersary Tribes, Middle Amu ...
Item Ref
BM20
The Gapylyk or Kaplyk was the decorative hanging on the inside of the Turkmen Oy or yurt, where it surrounded the engsi. Such pieces are very rare in today's market-place and although this one has lost its tassels - a complete one can be seen on page 60 of my 3rd edition book 'Tribal Rugs' - it remains an important example of what once was an important symbolic weaving to the Turkmen, in this case, the Ersary tribe.
Made around the mid 19th century, this Gapylyk is in very good overall condition.
Size: 144cm x 26cm x 59cm (4' 9" x 10" x 1' 11").
Made around the mid 19th century, this Gapylyk is in very good overall condition.
Size: 144cm x 26cm x 59cm (4' 9" x 10" x 1' 11").
£1,750
Antique Turkmen Uk Bash, Yomut Tribes, Trans-Caspian ...
Item Ref
BM3
The wedding camel caravan would carry not only the young couple's bedding but would need to transport the oy or yurt as well. This was split up into sections with camels carrying certain parts of the structure. One camel, however, would carry the fifty to seventy roof rods, which were split evenly into two bundles and tied to each flank of the camel and with the pointed ends facing to the rear. In order to protect the camels following on behind, bags with tassels were used to cover the pointed ends. These bags were called 'Uk Bash' and were generally made in pairs.
Here we have a single uk bash, woven by the Yomut Turkmen in the trans-Caspian steppes during the second half 19th century in remarkable condition, complete with its original tassels.
Size: 59cm x 36cm (2' 0" x 1' 2") excluding tassels.
Here we have a single uk bash, woven by the Yomut Turkmen in the trans-Caspian steppes during the second half 19th century in remarkable condition, complete with its original tassels.
Size: 59cm x 36cm (2' 0" x 1' 2") excluding tassels.
£1,450
Antique Turkmen 'Kap', Yomut Tribes, Trans-Caspian Steppes, ...
Item Ref
BM2247
A rare and beautiful 'kap' (small storage bag) made by Yomut tribes in the trans-Caspian region of Turkmenistan circa 1860-1870. .
This kap has a rare field design and is in excellent condition, complete with plain-weave back and tassels.
Kaps were made for carrying small personal items and were tied to the flanks of the camels during migrations.
Size: 71cm x 36cm (2' 4" x 1' 2") excluding tassels.
This kap has a rare field design and is in excellent condition, complete with plain-weave back and tassels.
Kaps were made for carrying small personal items and were tied to the flanks of the camels during migrations.
Size: 71cm x 36cm (2' 4" x 1' 2") excluding tassels.
£1,450
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