Antique Turkmen Torba, Teke Tribes, Akhal Oasis, ...
Item Ref
BM/TT
This fabulous Torba (personal belongings bag) was made by Teke Turkmen tribes in the Akhal Oasis, Turkmenistan, during the first half to middle 19th century.
It is in amazing, complete condition with its original ivory wool, plain-weave back. The face of the torba in glowing madder-red contains four vertical rows of three Teke 'guls' (tribal crests) and quite unusually retains its original tassels at the base of the bag.
This torba is amongst the very best of early Teke work with highlights of magenta silk within the guls and in the border.
Size: 1.17m x 0.41m (3' 10" x 1' 4").
It is in amazing, complete condition with its original ivory wool, plain-weave back. The face of the torba in glowing madder-red contains four vertical rows of three Teke 'guls' (tribal crests) and quite unusually retains its original tassels at the base of the bag.
This torba is amongst the very best of early Teke work with highlights of magenta silk within the guls and in the border.
Size: 1.17m x 0.41m (3' 10" x 1' 4").
£4,500
Antique Turkmen Mafrash Fragment, Teke Tribes, Merv ...
Item Ref
BM2078
A very rare and late 18th century Turkmen Mafrash fragment, made by Teke tribes in the Merv Oasis, Turkmenistan.
Although fragmented, this beautiful early example of Teke work, shows the amazing fineness of weave and quality of the madder dye, prior to the tribe becoming the most powerful Turkmen tribe after the defeat of the Salor to the Persian Qajars in 1834.
Note the six Teke guls dominating the field and surrounded on three sides by stylised deer, more or less intact, and rare to find on these early pieces. The remains of the stunning 'tree' elem can still be seen.
This mafrash has been mounted on a wooden frame covered with hessian to preserve it and ready for wall mounting.
Fragment size: 73 cm x 24cm (2' 5" x 9"). Frame size: 84cm x 36cm (2' 9" x 1' 2").
Although fragmented, this beautiful early example of Teke work, shows the amazing fineness of weave and quality of the madder dye, prior to the tribe becoming the most powerful Turkmen tribe after the defeat of the Salor to the Persian Qajars in 1834.
Note the six Teke guls dominating the field and surrounded on three sides by stylised deer, more or less intact, and rare to find on these early pieces. The remains of the stunning 'tree' elem can still be seen.
This mafrash has been mounted on a wooden frame covered with hessian to preserve it and ready for wall mounting.
Fragment size: 73 cm x 24cm (2' 5" x 9"). Frame size: 84cm x 36cm (2' 9" x 1' 2").
£2,350
Antique Turkmen Mafrash Fragment, Teke Tribe, Akhal ...
Item Ref
BM2036
This very rare fragment of what was once a complete Teke Turkmen mafrash (small personal belongings bag) dates to the late 18th century.
Mounted on a wood frame and covered in hessian, a small square has been cut-out in the back of the hessian to show the incredible fineness of weave in this mafrash (see photo attached).
The remains of one of possibly two or three ivory panels, shows the depiction of a vertical 'tree' with an 'ashik' symbol in the centre and highlighted in cochineal-dye silk. The beautiful range of natural-dye colours is simply stunning and not forgetting the 'elem' or lower skirt with its depiction of stylised deer or even camels? Charming!
Fragment size: 35cm x 31cm (14" x 12"). Frame size: 43cm x 39cm (17" x 15").
Mounted on a wood frame and covered in hessian, a small square has been cut-out in the back of the hessian to show the incredible fineness of weave in this mafrash (see photo attached).
The remains of one of possibly two or three ivory panels, shows the depiction of a vertical 'tree' with an 'ashik' symbol in the centre and highlighted in cochineal-dye silk. The beautiful range of natural-dye colours is simply stunning and not forgetting the 'elem' or lower skirt with its depiction of stylised deer or even camels? Charming!
Fragment size: 35cm x 31cm (14" x 12"). Frame size: 43cm x 39cm (17" x 15").
£2,350
Antique Large Turkmen Storage Bagface, Ersary Tribes, ...
Item Ref
BM2241
This magnificent storage bagface or 'chuval' was made by Ersary Turkmen in the region of Beshir during the third quarter of the nineteenth century.
Such large chuvals were normally made in pairs and used in nomadic life to store clothes, bedding, pots and pans etc. with each bag hung on the flanks of the camels during migrations. In this case, the bag has lost its plain-weave back, which I suspect was either damaged and removed or cut away by some unscrupulous dealer in Turkmenistan in order to make more money as a floor rug!
Nevertheless, this bagface is in excellent overall condition, with a beautiful range of natural colours including a subtle green and golden-yellow. |It has a tiny re-weave in one corner.
The Ersary Turkmen of Beshir suffered a harsh drought in the mid 19th century and, fearing for their survival, a young woman of the tribe was quoted as saying "We may lack water, but we can weave strength together".
With threads of wool from every family, she made a rug filled with protective symbols, blessings and signs of unity. When the rug was placed in the Khan's yurt, its presence inspired courage. Soon the rains returned and the tribe thrived, remembering that like the sacred threads, their strength lay in being bound together.
Size: 1.00m x 1.48m (3' 3" x 4' 10").
Such large chuvals were normally made in pairs and used in nomadic life to store clothes, bedding, pots and pans etc. with each bag hung on the flanks of the camels during migrations. In this case, the bag has lost its plain-weave back, which I suspect was either damaged and removed or cut away by some unscrupulous dealer in Turkmenistan in order to make more money as a floor rug!
Nevertheless, this bagface is in excellent overall condition, with a beautiful range of natural colours including a subtle green and golden-yellow. |It has a tiny re-weave in one corner.
The Ersary Turkmen of Beshir suffered a harsh drought in the mid 19th century and, fearing for their survival, a young woman of the tribe was quoted as saying "We may lack water, but we can weave strength together".
With threads of wool from every family, she made a rug filled with protective symbols, blessings and signs of unity. When the rug was placed in the Khan's yurt, its presence inspired courage. Soon the rains returned and the tribe thrived, remembering that like the sacred threads, their strength lay in being bound together.
Size: 1.00m x 1.48m (3' 3" x 4' 10").
£2,350
Antique Turkmen Torba, Chowdur Tribe, Mangyshlak, Buzachi ...
Item Ref
BM/CT
A rare and beautiful torba (small storage bag) made by Chowdur tribes in the Mangyshlak, Buzachi and Volga regions of Turkmenistan circa 1870-1880. The Chowdur are a very old tribe and few of their antique weavings are found these days. The most conspicuous feature is the purple-brown ground colour and the use of the asymmetrical knot.
This torba has a rare field design and is in excellent condition, complete with plain-weave back and tassels.
Torbas were made for carrying small personal items and were tied to the flanks of the camels during migrations.
Size: 71cm x 36cm (2' 4" x 1' 2") excluding tassels.
This torba has a rare field design and is in excellent condition, complete with plain-weave back and tassels.
Torbas were made for carrying small personal items and were tied to the flanks of the camels during migrations.
Size: 71cm x 36cm (2' 4" x 1' 2") excluding tassels.
£1,500
Antique Turkmen Torba, Yomut Tribes, Trans-Caspian Steppes, ...
Item Ref
BM2221
This beautiful torba (small storage bag) was made by Yomut Turkmen in the Trans-Caspian Steppes during the last quarter of the nineteenth century.
Torbas or small storage-bags were used by the Turkmen to contain small items of personal belongings, hung on the camels during migrations and then hung on the struts of the yurt during sedentary periods.
It has a rare field design of small symbolic guls (tribal crests) with superb shades of madder-red, natural ivory and indigo sky-blue. The torba, which is in excellent condition, retains its plain-weave back and the remains of the hanging cords and tassels at the base.
Size: 76cm x 41cm (2' 6" x 1' 4").
Torbas or small storage-bags were used by the Turkmen to contain small items of personal belongings, hung on the camels during migrations and then hung on the struts of the yurt during sedentary periods.
It has a rare field design of small symbolic guls (tribal crests) with superb shades of madder-red, natural ivory and indigo sky-blue. The torba, which is in excellent condition, retains its plain-weave back and the remains of the hanging cords and tassels at the base.
Size: 76cm x 41cm (2' 6" x 1' 4").
£1,250
Antique Turkmen Chuval (storage-bag), Yomut Tribes, Trans-Caspian ...
Item Ref
BM2108
This magnificent 19th century Turkmen storage-bag or 'chuval', was made by Yomut tribes in the trans-Caspian steppes. It is in complete, near-perfect condition with its original plain-weave back and tie-cords.
The deeply saturated aubergine-colour field contains 16 Yomut 'guls' or tribal crests with the minor guls highlighted in a beautiful sky-blue. Also, particularly attractive, is the 'elem' or bottom panel, finely decorated in an interlocking diamond design.
Chuvals were originally made in pairs and were utilitarian bags for carrying clothes, pots and pans etc. They were tied to the flanks of the camels during long migrations and when not in use, were stored flat on top of each other in the yurts.
Size: 1.22m x 0.69m (4' 0" x 2' 3")
The deeply saturated aubergine-colour field contains 16 Yomut 'guls' or tribal crests with the minor guls highlighted in a beautiful sky-blue. Also, particularly attractive, is the 'elem' or bottom panel, finely decorated in an interlocking diamond design.
Chuvals were originally made in pairs and were utilitarian bags for carrying clothes, pots and pans etc. They were tied to the flanks of the camels during long migrations and when not in use, were stored flat on top of each other in the yurts.
Size: 1.22m x 0.69m (4' 0" x 2' 3")
£1,250
Antique Turkmen Wedding-Camel Trapping, Ersary Tribes, Middle ...
Item Ref
BM/JS2
This magnificent wedding trapping has the most luxurious wool - soft and silky - the very best Turkmen quality. Made as a wedding-camel decoration and not as a storage bag, this trapping would have been part of the bride's dowry and never intended for sale. In excellent pile all over, the trapping did have a small area of damage which has been well restored. The overall design is ikat-inspired - typical of the work of the Ersary nomads in the Beshir region.
Size: 1.50m x 0.31m (4' 11" x 1' 0").
Size: 1.50m x 0.31m (4' 11" x 1' 0").
£1,250
Antique Turkmen Dizlyks, Yomut Tribes, Trans-Caspian Steppes, ...
Item Ref
BM2066
Dizlyks were made by the young Turkmen bride to decorate her wedding camel when her 'big day' arrived!
Each dizlyk was tied around the knobbly knees of the wedding camel during the bridal procession and then stored away in a 'bokcha' (wedding chest) until her daughter was ready for marriage.
Made during the second half of the nineteenth century by Yomut tribes in the trans-Caspian Steppes, these beautiful and rare pair of dizlyks are in excellent condition with a beautiful use of green, albeit having lost their hanging cords.
Today, such dizlyks can look very decorative hung on the wall asnd certainly make a very good talking point with friends.
Size: 22cm x 40cm (1' 4" x 9") including tassels.
Each dizlyk was tied around the knobbly knees of the wedding camel during the bridal procession and then stored away in a 'bokcha' (wedding chest) until her daughter was ready for marriage.
Made during the second half of the nineteenth century by Yomut tribes in the trans-Caspian Steppes, these beautiful and rare pair of dizlyks are in excellent condition with a beautiful use of green, albeit having lost their hanging cords.
Today, such dizlyks can look very decorative hung on the wall asnd certainly make a very good talking point with friends.
Size: 22cm x 40cm (1' 4" x 9") including tassels.
£1,250
Antique Turkmen Saddle-Cover, Goklen Tribes, Turkmenistan, Central ...
Item Ref
BM/RP7
The shape of a saddle with a slit for the pommel, this lovely saddle-cover was made by the Goklen Turkmen at the end of the nineteenth century. In excellent condition and just washed, there is a beautiful use of light blue, surfacing as highlights throughout the dominant madder-red field.
Size: 56cm x 56cm ( 1' 10" x 1' 10").
Size: 56cm x 56cm ( 1' 10" x 1' 10").
£1,250
Antique Turkmen Chuval, Ersary Tribes, Middle Amu ...
Item Ref
BM2071
This large chuval - storage bag - was made by Ersary Turkmen tribes in the middle Amu Darya region of Turkmenistan during the third quarter of the nineteenth century.
Although its flat-woven back was removed at some point in the past, the face of this chuval is in very good complete condition. Originally made in pairs for transporting clothing and other personal belongings, this sadly, is the only one remaining, with no doubt, the other pair to this somewhere out there in the wide world!
The beautiful madder-red ground contains three vertical rows of five Ersary 'guls' (tribal crests) and particularly attractive is the main border with its compartmentalised pattern containing '8-pointed stars' - protective symbols. Note also the interesting change of colour in the 'elem' or skirt, undoubtedly done on purpose by the weaver to highlight the symbolic earthly world.
Size: 0.95m x 1.45m (3' 1" x 4' 9").
Although its flat-woven back was removed at some point in the past, the face of this chuval is in very good complete condition. Originally made in pairs for transporting clothing and other personal belongings, this sadly, is the only one remaining, with no doubt, the other pair to this somewhere out there in the wide world!
The beautiful madder-red ground contains three vertical rows of five Ersary 'guls' (tribal crests) and particularly attractive is the main border with its compartmentalised pattern containing '8-pointed stars' - protective symbols. Note also the interesting change of colour in the 'elem' or skirt, undoubtedly done on purpose by the weaver to highlight the symbolic earthly world.
Size: 0.95m x 1.45m (3' 1" x 4' 9").
£1,150
Antique Turkmen Torba, Sariq Tribe, Yolatan Oasis, ...
Item Ref
BM/Sariq
The Turkmen 'torba' was either a small storage-bag or in this case, a wedding camel decoration.
Made during the last quarter of the 19th century by Sariq tribes in the Yolatan Oasis region of Turkmenistan, this beautifully made trapping contains highlights of cochineal-dye silk throughout, indicating it was quite possibly a prized dowry presentation piece. The silk highlights can be seen as light-coloured areas in the photos.
The torba is complete and in excellent condition.
Size: 1.35m x 0.38m (4' 5" x 1' 3").
Made during the last quarter of the 19th century by Sariq tribes in the Yolatan Oasis region of Turkmenistan, this beautifully made trapping contains highlights of cochineal-dye silk throughout, indicating it was quite possibly a prized dowry presentation piece. The silk highlights can be seen as light-coloured areas in the photos.
The torba is complete and in excellent condition.
Size: 1.35m x 0.38m (4' 5" x 1' 3").
£950
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