This rug emphatically demonstrates the resourcefulness of antique village weaving. Handwoven by Turkmen in the first half of the twentieth century, it is a long-format runner, thick and sumptuous with a naturally warm hue that reflects the inherent properties of its undyed wool, mohair, and camel fibers.
Beautiful materials in their natural state
The plush wool pile—pure and undyed in its natural state—is more than 1 inch deep. The field is an ivory white, while the border and six diamond medallions present a darker biscuit color.
Although the motifs employed are common to village weaving from Turkey in the early twentieth century, the format and pile are anything distinct. The weaver has experimented with a three-dimensional effect, weaving tassels of silky mohair in bunches throughout the field. Elsewhere, she has used camelhair—an unusual, but highly sought-after material—to fill in the golden-brown grid squares in lower relief.
The use of three fibers is unusual, as is the rug’s format and extremely dense and thick pile. As is often the case with village weavings from this era, it is likely that the animals shorn for the rug belonged to the weaver’s own household or extended family.
Condition and use
The rug is in excellent condition. Its pile is dense and even. The original fringe ends remain in-tact, and the undyed original warp threads of different color can be seen on both ends.
The rug will withstand hallway traffic, although some shedding can be expected, particularly in highly active areas. A rug pad will provide a firm grip on hard surfaces.
