Uncertain Turkmen fragment

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Here is a piece that I have been unable to classify. It would seem to be of Turkmen origin and possibly a prayer rug fragment. Note the remnants of rams horns at top. Of course I have no idea how the top and bottom were finished. The selvedges appear original. The knotting is asymmetrical open to the right. Included is a photo of the back which shows the weft and some ridging of the warps. The field appears to be a version of the ayna gul. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

thanks
Frank

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

I'm not an expert, but this looks to be a Middle Amu Darya weaving, aka "Ersari," with some age. The pale yellow strikes me as something indicating Ersari weaving from before 1890-ish, and the back looks old. I agree that it looks like a fragment of a prayer rug. Cool piece!

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

It is odd that this piece is on EBay for sale as we speak from Cappadocia Turkey and even they don’t know what it is.

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

My guess is a mafrash panel or a Torba or Chuval fragment.

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Joe, I bought this piece on eBay more than a month ago from a seller in turkey. I don’t know why they are still showing it. As to attribution I don’t generally rely on sellers info.

Frank

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

Hi Frank

I think it's likely a chopped up Ersari prayer rug. Maybe Tekke.

Regards
Chuck

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks Chuck

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks for your assessment Paul

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

What is the measurement of the width?

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

27" and what’s left of the length is 35"

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

I finally found what it is down to the identical measurement of the width. Do you have a copy of the book
”Carpets of the People of Central Asia” by VG Moshkova? Page 286. Shows a similar example.

The book says it’s a Kizyl Ayak lattice group rug.
Ironically the aina gochak gol is traditionally used on Chuvals, Torbas and mafrashes according to the book.

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks Joe, I don’t have the book but will find a copy.

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

I can post a picture of it here from the book if approved by the admins.

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks Joe, I found a copy on eBay. Will have it in a few days.