Number AH625
Material Wool
Style All Over
Origin Turkmen
Type Central Asian
Size 273 x 172
Age 1860
A great old Tekke from the vast, open steppes of Turkmenistan in the 19th century. This is a large size carpet for this tribe, and is called a tent or main carpet: ie it would be spread open on the floor of the tent when receiving distinguished guests. They would be honored by being invited to sit upon such a carpet.
It exists in superb condition and with full pile. Two very long end kilims stretch out at either end. They are sometimes called "skirts" for obvious reasons but to the Turkmen there were called "elem" which is an adaptation of the Arabic علم referring to flag/identifier/banner/proper noun. The manner of the stripes along the Elem would identify which tribe and clan wove it; hence this is the signature of the weaver and her identity.
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