8'6" X 6'8" Antique Tekke Main Carpet [TAK0076]

Collector's Notes

This early antique Tekke Main Carpet or rug was woven in the first half of the 19th Century in Turkmenistan. Features spacious red-purple field that displays large rounded Tekke guls and secondary Gurbaghe guls connected by a fine indigo blue line. Cruciform star end borders float freely, an early first half feature. Octagon cruciform star main border motifs appear spider-like between chevron styled bars.

Large rectangular carpets such as this one are of the most important and expensive weavings created by the Turkmen nomadic tribes from Turkestan/Turkmenistan in Central Asia. These masterful weavings are considered and referred to as Tekke "main carpets" because they were used by the Turkmen tribes as the primary floor covering inside their tents. They were intricately and expertly decorated with the 'main gul' element used as a symbol of importance distinguishing each tribe. The skill of the Tekke weave can be seen in the meticulously intricate design of this piece.

Age: Circa 1800-1850
Origin: Turkmenistan
Style: Turkmen, Tekke
Dimensions:8'6" X 6'8"
Condition: Very good. Reselvaged.
Color Palette: 5 colors including red, purple, blue, apricot, ivory
Composition: 100% wool
Reference: For similar examples, see "Turkoman Tribal Rugs" by Werner Loges, plate #1; "Turkmen Carpets", by Elena Tsareva, plate #3; and/or "Old Turkmen Rugs", by Karoly Gombos, figure #7

One-of-a-kind antique rug, handwoven and hand-knotted.

Carefully cleaned by hand using our proprietary technique with organic and natural supplies.