This rare tent band with silk highlights is a survivor from the height of Karakalpak material culture. While, generally, age is associated with quality in Central Asian weavings, in the case of the Karalpak recent research conducted by Sue and David Richardson (published in their book “Qaraqalpaqs in the Aral Delta”) suggests that the Karakalpaks attained material wealth after the Russian Revolution and this tent band, most likely, dates from that time ca.1920-30. The silk pile is primarily a golden-yellow color with a small number of magenta knots. The dyes have been applied skillfully. This tent band was sourced in Eastern Europe where it had been sewn together and hung on the wall for generations judging by the grime on its surface. i had it opened up and washed. Not a trace of bleeding onto the white cotton ground. i have sewn it back together for display, but it could easily be opened up again. The quality of materials suggests that this tent band was something very special. It shows a debt to Turkmen iconography but with its own distinctive twist. It is approximately 30cms wide and 11 meters long. In its current configuration it measures approximately 220x147cms. It its in very good condition with a few tiny holes in the ground and rebound sides.