Large, beautiful, naturally dyed Ersari Turkoman hand woven 'main carpet' from the later half of the 19th century. Originally made somewhere in the greater Turkestan region, which was once a vast area to the north and north-west of northern Afghanistan (and is now an amalgamated area of independent countries, including one today known as Turkmenistan). The main body of the carpet has very low, although even, pile throughout, but no holes or repairs. It has approximately 18cm (7 inches) of pile-less kilim weave at either end, all-so-typical of these older Turkoman carpets. Overall it is very good condition for its age, with only a very small (+/- 5cm / 2 inches) 'gap' in the selvage at almost the end of one side (lower right, main photo), that could easily be restored if the owner thought necessary. Natural dyes, wool warp and wool/hair mix weft, a lovely abrashed burgundy coloured main field, with beautiful saturated blues and greens in the guls; size 2.76m x 2.34m (approx. 9ft x 7ft 6inches).