Please help ID this rug

[Richard Linsey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Richard Linsey]

Hello, I posted pics of this rug a few years ago but read that the forum has changed since then and it looks like my original post has now gone.
I've owned it since the 80's and was told at the time it was probably an Turkmen Ensi door rug. I recall from the previous thread that it was discoloured due to incorrect cleaning process but that's all I can remember. Any info gratefully received. Thank you.

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

Hi Richard

It was a Turkmen ensi (yurt entry cover) then. It still is. Neither age nor tribal attributions are possible because the colors are gone. The loss of the colors is most likely because someone gave it what used to be called an antique wash, which intentionally removed the original colors.

Steve Price

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

Richard, your rug looks to be an Ersari Trumen Ensi. Given the fading, dating is more difficult. My wild guess would be mid 20th century. Can you resend the photos by selecting the large format? Images are very pixelated. Despite the fading the rug is beautiful. Is the back faded also?

Frank

[Richard Linsey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Richard Linsey]

Thanks both for the replies and information.

Frank, I've attached a pic of the back to show fading on that side

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

Hello. I agree dating is challenging on your piece. It would be safe to say that a window of 1920-1970 may be a good guess. Here are some pics of two ensi’s similar to yours from my collection. The more colorful Ensi has not been affected by washing while the 2nd example has. What is noteworthy that although fading is present on the 2nd example on the front, the back survived and has most of its original colors.

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

Beautiful pieces Joe, here is one of mine of similar type. It has a fair amount of wear but the colors are good.

Frank

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

The more colorful Ensi has not been affected by washing while the 2nd example has. What is noteworthy that although fading is present on the 2nd example on the front, the back survived and has most of its original colors.

The one with intact colors on the back has faded from exposure to light. Loss of color on both sides is the result of a chemical wash, sometimes referred to in the trade as an antique wash. Most collectors consider color to be the most important attribute for any rug.

Steve Price

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

Thank you for your comments Steve. Your input is always valued.
Your comment about the washing makes 100% sense. When we first acquired this Ensi, I took it to a very well known person in the rug world. No need to drop names, but they informed me the discoloration was a result of washing and I went with it. Your analysis is much more logical.

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

Hi Joe

It's possible that it had a surface wash, but light exposure is more likely. There's an easy way to distinguish between them. Light fading only happens near the tip of the pile. If you spread the pile with your fingers you'll find that most of the pile has its original color (same color as the back). A surface wash will remove the original color pretty much down to the foundation.

From an aesthetic standpoint, it doesn't matter how the color was lost.

Steve Price

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

You are right on the money Steve. There is color under the faded area. Thanks for your input.