Peter Pap Oriental Rugs presents...

Turkmen Rugs

from the Dr. Timothy McCormack Collection

Middle Amu Darya Area chuval

rug ID# 19336

4'8"x3'3"

SOLD

This remarkable Turkmen tent bag or 'chuval' combines tribal motifs with Central Asian textile traditions. Using exceptionally soft wool and superb saturated color, bands of ornament are drawn across the field. Foreground and background meld within the field as the saturated madder of the sides, top, and bottom portions gives way to alternating light and dark stripes. The fundamentals of this striated design may be traced to patterns originating in silk Central Asian 'ikat' textiles produced in urban centers such as Bukhara and traded throughout the region. While the majority of the diamond and hexagonal ornament seen here may also be traced to silk ikat models, one particular element, a cruciform terminating in latch-hooks, has deep roots within the weaving traditions of the nomads of Central Asia. The bottom skirt panel or 'elem' similarly draws a comb-like device seen in several groups of Turkmen weavings.

Condition report: sides re-wrapped. Very minor re-knotting

Bashir torba fragment

Rug ID# 19416

3'9"x1'7"

$5800 

An older rendition of an ikat inspired design, this fragment in our opinion is more likely a bag than a small rug. Wool is magnificicently soft and supple with excellent color. 

Condition report: top missing, re-wrapped sides, scattered moth damage

Ersari chuval

Rug ID# 19342

5'11"x3'7"

SOLD

magenta silk highlights 

Condition report: Original selivedges have areas of damage with small loss on the sides, small scattered repairs, patch at bottom of elem, corrosion of silk

Ersari chuval

Rug ID# 19361

5'5"x3'1"

SOLD 

Blue silk highlights  

Condition report: Loss of original selvedges, re-wrapped over edge. Discoloration at top, small reweave, slight moth damage, dog-eared corner

Bashir chuval

Rug ID# 19383

4'9"x3'0"

SOLD

Using complimentary vivid tones of red and blue, this dynamic Bashir Turkmen chuval draws an assortment of graphic bands, some wider and some narrower, against a madder red field. Various types of banded tent bags are known in the corpus of Turkmen weaving. Many of these draw knotted pile bands against a flatwoven ground. While all pile banded Turkmen bags such as this from the Middle Amu Darya region of Central Asia may have some relationship to banded Tekke and Eagle Group pieces from further west in Central Asia, the aesthetic seen in the former represents a unique local phenomenon. This example is particularly accomplished using soft lustrous wool pile and saturated color. Exquisitely drawn and organized, sections are highlighted with white cotton knots. Of particular merit and interest is the construction of this piece which uses brown, tan, and blue wool, as well as copious white cotton weft.  

Bashir chuval

rug ID# 19340

6'2"x3'9"

Bashir chuval

rug ID# 19339

$4250

This graphic Turkmen large tent bag or chuval reflects the cultural richness of Central Asia. The central column of three polygonal devices drawn in the middle of the field along with the shimmering wave-like bands flanking them on both sides are each derived from fine silk and cotton 'ikat' textiles woven in the urban centers of the region and traded throughout. The nomadic tribal weaver of this Bashir chuval has integrated these elements combining them with her own tribal nomadic aesthetic. The branches of the abstracted trees of the bottom 'elem' panel culminate with stylized rams' horn ornament in classic Turkmen fashion. Similar devices are traced at the narrower band at the top of the piece as well as both sides. 

Condition report: minor end loss in one corner of elem panel at bottom.

rug ID# 19335

5'3"x3'2"

$3000

Ersari chuval

rug ID# 19349

4'4"x2'8"

SOLD

 Ersari chuval

rug ID# 19554

4'9"x3'0"

Ersari chuval

Rug ID# 19405

4'0"x3'0"

SOLD

Ersari chuval

Rug ID#  

Ersari chuval

Rug ID# 19350

Ersari trapping

Rug ID# 19521

6'3"x1'11"

SOLD 

Ersari rug

Rug ID# 19526

$3500

Kizyl Ayak chuval

Rug ID# 19346

4'7"x3'7"

$3200

Kizyl Ayak chuval

Rug ID# 19555

Kizyl Ayak chuval

Rug ID# 19404

2'9"x4'7"

Rug ID# 19367

3'7"x1'2"

SOLD

Arabachi chuval

Rug ID# 19362

4'4"x2'1"

SOLD

An older almost classical strain of Turkmen weaving is preserved in the rugs, bags, and trappings of the Arabachi. This large tent bag, or chuval, represents a case in point. While in most instances, various Turkmen groups used distinct types of guls, mainly quartered repeat medallions, on their bags and on their main carpets, respectively, the Arabachi gul used in the group of chuvals that this piece belongs to represents a much older archaic variety of main carpet ornament lost by the 19th century in its original context. The octagonal minor guls seen here likewise reflect an older connection to classical Holbein variant carpets of the 15th and 16th centuries which once proliferated in Timurid weaving traditions from Central Asia to Anatolia and beyond. True to form, this pieces uses a classic identifiably Arabachi autumnal palette and construction with asymmetrical knots open to the left and camel and cotton weft. Each gul is highlighted in the center with knots of pink silk. Drawing is spot on and the wool used for this piece is unusually supple for an Arabachi. 

Condition report: Selvedges not original. The majority of bottom 'elem' panel is missing.
Silk highlights in two colors.

Arabachi chuval 

Rug ID# 19409

4'8"x2'6"

$5500

Arabachi group pieces have a special place within the history of Turkmen weaving. Recognizable by their distinctive color pallet and construction, Arabachis often retain features of older more archaic Turkmen drawing. This Arabachi Turkmen chuval draws classic 'chuval guls' with a 'chemcheh' minor variant that is sometimes seen on main carpets. The incomplete elem, or bottom panel, preserves remnants of stylized trees against a deep plum ground. The dark madder ground is modulated throughout switching from plum to chocolate, and tones of brick red. The use of several shades of blue as well as a madder-derived orange indicate that this piece most likely dates to before the late 19th century, at which time the palette of these pieces becomes less diverse and a synthetic derived orange is frequently used. In keeping with Arabachi structure, this piece is asymmetrically knotted open left and uses cotton and camel wool weft. 

Condition report: Selvedges not original, loss to elem

Chodor torba

Rug ID# 19364

3'10"x1'5"

SOLD

Saryk chuval

Rug ID#19411

4'3"x3'1"

$3800

Rug ID# 19352

4'5"x2'8"

$2000

Tekke chuval

Rug ID# 19351

3'8"x2'6"

$3100

This fine Turkmen tent bag displays the precision for which Tekke weaving is renowned. Against a vibrant madder red ground twenty-four chuval guls with cruciform centers alternate with 'columns of linked chemcheh' minors. A forest of flowering tress is drawn in the bottom 'elem' panel. This is a stellar example of Tekke Turkmen weaving.

Condition report: some loss to outer guard borders on both sides and bottom

Rug ID# 19376

3'8"x2'6"

SOLD

This luxurious 'turreted gul' chuval represents the "Cadillac production" of Tekke weaving. Perhaps in an attempt to compete with Salor or Saryk Turkmen tent bags, this piece uses a rich madder red punctuated with highlight of cochineal silk throughout and areas of white cotton at the bottom. Weaving is precise and crisp and color superb. The 'elem' skirt draws a magical forest of stylized flowering trees. 

Condition report: loss to both sides, even wear throughout, small hole and wear in bottom 'elem' panel.

Rug ID# 19348

2'9"x3'1"

$2500

Small Tekke Turkmen rugs, often described within the literature as 'wedding rugs' are relatively well known within the collector community. While most of these pieces date from the late 19th century, earlier examples are certainly known as well. This small Tekke rug, however, may be an entirely different animal. Indeed, at just over two feet long (excluding the kilim ends) this piece may represent a completely different type of rug and its exact utility remains unclear. While using a classic Tekke rose-madder ground, there is evidence of smoke damage and the natural brown pile has lightened a bit. Might this suggest that it may have been hung in a yurt or used in some way as a trapping, bag, or perhaps a cradle? Whatever the case, it is clearly an accomplished weaving with precise drawing and an exceptional velvet-like handle. 'Banner guls', more typically seen on small Tekke tent bags such as mafrashes, repeat across the field along with delicate 'chemcheh' minors linked vertically by small poles. Other features of drawing as well seem more in tune with Tekke bags and trappings rather than rugs. The curled-leaf 'ashik' border seen on the sides of this small rug is more generally seen in older Tekke ensis and the arrow border seen on the top and bottom may be seen in Tekke 'ok-bashes'. 

Condition report: border loss both sides, selvedges not original, and visible damage to the kilim ends.

Tekke torba

Rug ID#  

Rug ID# 19354

4'3"x1'3"

$4000

Rug ID# 19379

3'10"x1'6"

$5500

Rug ID# 19360

4'1"x1'11"

$3500

Rug ID# 19353

4'7"x4'1"

$2200

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19375

3'8"x2'6"

$4500

Yomut weavings are an incredibly diverse Turkmen group incorporating several types of weaves and a variety of color palettes. This Yomut 'chuval' tent bag face spaciously draws a field of classic chuval guls with striped 'chemcheh' minors. The use of asymmetrical knots open to the right allowed the weaver increased precision to draw a spectacularly crisp and open composition. This fineness of weave is matched by a subtle but vibrant saturation of color giving a fabulous sense of depth. 

Condition report: selvedges not original,some loss to corners and a small patch, and isolated moth damage.

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19386

3'5"x1'10"

$1800

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19389

3'11"x2'7"

$2500

This classic Yomut Turkmen tent bag is imbued with a subtle but definite sense of sophistication. Drawing is crisp and open with a notion of depth being conveyed when the large primary repeat 'guls' of the field are contrasted with the more slender almost ethereal minors. The border is a classic Yomut Turkmen variant. Here it is skillfully drawn with a highly curvilinear rendering of the reciprocal so-called 'running dog' guard, particularly at the top and bottom. Color is is saturated with excellent pairings of lighter and darker tones. The bottom 'elem' panel appears at first glance to be blank. Upon further inspection, however, one may see that it is speckled with small triangular blue and green ornament traced in a vibrant madder red. This chuval is symmetrically knotted. 

Condition report: two small areas with foundation showing in center, selvedges not original.

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19392

3'4"x2'7"

$2500

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19399

3'1"x2'5"

$1800

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19400

3'9"x2'6"

$3800

Rug ID# 19401

4'0"x3'0"

$3500

Yomut chuval

Rug ID

#19408

3'9"x2'7"

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19417

3'10"x2'10"

$2800

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19419

3'8"x2'7"

Yomut chuval

Rug ID# 19422

3'7"x2'7"

$4300

Yomut chuval

Rug ID#

Yomut torba

Rug ID# 19361

5'5"x3'1"

$5500

Yomut asmalyk

Rug ID# 19374

3'10"x2'4"

$3500

Yomut asmalyk

Rug ID# 19372

$6500

Yomut asmalyk

Rug ID#

Ersari ensi

Rug ID# 19559

4'2"x5'2"

$2800

Yomut ensi

Rug ID# 19344

4'3"x5'6"

$5500

Saryk ensi

Rug ID# 19544

3'8"x5'3"

SOLD

The ensi is arguably the most distinctive form of Turkmen weaving. These door rugs employ a highly articulated structure with a very specific set of ornament. Saryk ensis are particularly iconic using deep madder red and distinctive vegetal forms. These flowering trees are often replicated in Turkmen jewelry and conjure notions either implicitly or explicitly of fertility and abundance. These themes are reinforced in the various rams' head finials extending from curved and oscilating linear structures. This  exceptional example is woven with surprisingly soft and supple wool. This excellence of materials compounded with precise drawing and spacing, and superior saturated color point to a date of the mid 19th century at the latest.

Condition report: Sides re-wrapped, loss of side guard borders including 'etek' rams' horns, loss of plain outer guard borders at both ends, rewoven area, scattered repiling.