Tekke Germetch, 19th century

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

I bought this small carpet on a net auction in May 2022 in Germany:





Here is how the auction house described it:

"30 cm x 125 cm....Tekke Germetch. Tribal carpet. Turkmenistan. Hand knotted. Wool on wool. Fine knotting. Probably natural colors, antique 19th century. Turkmen."

Do you agree with the dating, attribution, etc.? The Germetch carpets are said to have been made to keep small animals outside the jurta and hung in the door opening, although some express skepticism about this. Any opinions?

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

Hi Erik

It's almost certainly Tekke, woven in the second half of the 19th century. Except for its dimensions, there's nothing about it that suggests that it was a germetch. Probably an unusually wide torba, most likely a trapping. That's a nice looking piece, whatever it was used for.

Steve Price

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

I agree with Steve. According to some sources, only a few authentic ones have ever been confirmed.

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

Hi Erik,

Here's a photo from Mackie & Thompson's book on Turkoman weavings that illustrates how such pieces are used, at least, in the context of a wedding procession.

Regards
Chuck

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

In my humble opinion, it looks Ersari to me.

edited; After further research, I conclude this is a Tekke piece. The main Gul threw me off.

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

Thank you all for this info and your very esteemed opinions on the "Tekke Germetch", which according to the consensus here turned out to be a Tekke Torba!