A very small mystery rug

[Erik Persson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Erik Persson]

Here is another Ebay find, which I purchased as an "Antique Handmade Traditional Caucasian Wool Horse Neck Belt Woven Rug 56x15cm":



Is it what the seller thought or something else? What is its origins and and age? I am myself a bit puzzled by it, as it does not look like anything I have seen elsewhere.

[PaulSmith Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PaulSmith]

This has a Middle-Amu-Darya look to me, so Ersari Turkmen is my guess. It might be antique, but it could also be from the 1940s. When you see a piece that has dull colors on the front and bright colors on the back--especially reds like this--it is likely because these colors are synthetic. It does appear to be handmade.

[Erik Persson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Erik Persson]

Thank you for this very interesting information, Paul! But what is the purpose of this small piece? Is it a "horse neck belt" or something else? Is a horse neck belt strapped to the horse's neck in some way (which sounds a bit strange to me) or how is it used?

[Chuck Wagner Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck Wagner]

Hi Erik

There may be some analogs in our archived threads, but the bottom line is that there is no way to be certain of the intended use. Take a close look at the corners for evidence that straps made from extended warps or wefts have been cut off. If so then it's likely part of a donkey harness. Modern analogs exist - you'll have to decide which end of the donkey yours was intended for...



Regards
Chuck

[Mikko Saikku Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mikko Saikku]

Here's a somewhat similar, probably much more recent item (46 x 15 cm). It was part of an auction lot of four items. A couple of years ago on Turkotek, most seemed to think it was of Afghan origin. I call it a "Child's Learning Piece"! It's currently in good use as our cat's personal mattress.





Mikko

[Dinie Gootjes Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dinie Gootjes]

It is hard to be certain about the intended use of a particular trapping, but the Turkmen did/do use woven bands around the necks of their horses. I have a picture of an older Yomud (?) gentleman on a horse with a pile woven band around its neck. I will see if I can find it next week.

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

I found this pic by accident today and remembered your post. If you look on the neck of the camel, you will see a small piece similar to yours.

[Dinie Gootjes Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dinie Gootjes]

And here is the horse with the neck band. I have an association with 'Yomud', but that may be the breed of the horse. I think I got it from a horsey website, but I don't remember for sure.




Joe, interesting to see that they are also used for camels. Good find.

Dinie

[Erik Persson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Erik Persson]

Thank you for the info and all these fascinating photographs! Indeed, it looks like there might have been ribbons in the corners of my rug that are no longer extant.