Dating a Yomud chuval?

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

Dear all,

Just found this smallish (80 x 100 cm) Yomud chuval from a local auction. It is a bit battered with old repairs and faded (although the 1st photo is way too light), but with all natural colors and spacious design it feels quite old.

Seven colors: violet brown (field), dark brown, bright red, dark blue, sky blue, white, and light yellow (accents).







To me, this definitely looks like 19th century work, but what do the real experts think?

Best,

Mikko

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

Hi Mikko,

Congratulations! I think it's great to find an old piece like this! I don't qualify as "expert," but I agree with your dating. The colors all look good to me, and that elem is spacious and interesting in an old way. My guess would be 3rd quarter, 19th-c., but we need someone who's handled more of these than I.

Cheers! Paul

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

Hi Paul,

And thank you for your insights. I have a few ca. 1900 Yomud chuvals, and the way this one has been drawn is clearly more "archaic," not unlike the chuvals in publications such as Pinner & Eiland, Between the Black Desert and the Red (plate 40, p. 66, cf. the elem) and Tzareva, Rugs and Carpets from Central Asia (#78, p. 121).

Best,

Mikko

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Mikko,

It looks very Yomud, and I agree with Paul about the likely date.

Best

Steve Price

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

Thanks, Steve!

Good to hear from you. This is the oldest-looking chuval I've come across at local auctions. It's kind of incredible to think that it may predate the Russian conquest of Khiva...

Best,
Mikko