Tekke Turkomen 1870

Tekke Turkomen main carpet 1870 or earlier

11 x 9 ft

Recently acquired from a private collector in Australia.

11 ft 9-inch x 8 feet 4-inch, kilim ends, one nearly invisible repair in main carpet, slightly frayed kilim ends, repairable. 

Turkomen carpets of this size and quality have been continually in demand but very difficult to acquire. Verified as to age, it appears to have been woven for a chieftan or tribal leader as it would require a large yurt to accommodate it , and its date of origin is earlier than the period wherein significant, if any ,importation of Turkoman carpets to the West occurred.

The wool (warp and weft) of this carpet is of superior and  lanolin rich quality with a beautiful soft feel  and pile in excellent condition.  The richness of the colours—triple dipped in the dye vat yarns – is its most distinguishing feature-- and with other attributes, place it above  many other Turkomen examples. Note the bright luminous green tribal motifs, achieved with copper sulphate. The carpet is testimony to the exemplary use of purely natural dyes and the power of the classic symbolism of this tribe. It glows.

Such a piece, though very sturdy, would suit a den, library or large bedroom suite admirably, ideally in a moderate wear area only, as it is a desirable investment collectible.

PROVENANCE: This piece was originally collected by the late Raymond “Cito “Cessna, long respected as the foremost Tekke Turkomen expert in Australia, carpet connoisseur and dealer. He had assigned it to his private collection. He acquired it in Afghanistan- where he lived for 10 years - in the late 1970’s, eventually selling it around 1995 to the most recent owner who has only lately made it available. 

$32,000

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