Tekke rug

Small Tekke Turkmen rugs, often described within the literature as ‘wedding rugs’ are relatively well known within the collector community. While most of these pieces date from the late 19th century, earlier examples are certainly known as well. This small Tekke rug, however, may be an entirely different animal. Indeed, at just over two feet long (excluding the kilim ends) this piece may represent a completely different type of rug and its exact utility remains unclear. While using a classic Tekke rose-madder ground, there is evidence of smoke damage and the natural brown pile has lightened a bit. Might this suggest that it may have been hung in a yurt or used in some way as a trapping, bag, or perhaps a cradle? Whatever the case, it is clearly an accomplished weaving with precise drawing and an exceptional velvet-like handle. ‘Banner guls’, more typically seen on small Tekke tent bags such as mafrashes, repeat across the field along with delicate ‘chemcheh’ minors linked vertically by small poles. Other features of drawing as well seem more in tune with Tekke bags and trappings rather than rugs. The curled-leaf ‘ashik’ border seen on the sides of this small rug is more generally seen in older Tekke ensis and the arrow border seen on the top and bottom may be seen in Tekke ‘ok-bashes’.