19th Century Antique Ersari Rug

About the Item

Ersari – Central Asia This is a Turkmen rug hand-woven by the Ersari ethnic group that has inhabited Southern Turkmenistan since the late 19th century. The most common colour is red, in its infinite shades. This exclusive Ersari possesses rows of diamonds arranged throughout the centre of the rug in white, black, earth red, and brown colours. Five borders surround the centre. The wider border contains flowers over a dark background—naturally an elegant and refined piece for any environment. The carpet is clean and ready for use. Ersari carpets are produced by the Ersari Turkmen, who inhabit northern Afghanistan and southern Turkmenistan. Part of the Ersari population settled in the cities of Beshir and Bukhara. The oldest Ersari rugs can be identified by their designs. They are the only Turkmen to compose the medallion design. They also adopted traditional Persian and Caucasian designs that included botéh, herati, lattice, and minakhani. Additionally, the Ersari produced large quantities of large-format and gallery carpets, which was unusual among other Turkmen groups. Ersari rugs are geometric or floral in style. The design is made up of the gul (flowers). The guls are repeated horizontally and vertically across the field and woven into larger and smaller shapes in alternating rows. The narrow borders feature leaves and vines alternating with guls and other nomadic designs. Ersari guls are flat octagons, with the corners occupied by strongly stylized horizontal “small firs” or simplified animal figures. These motifs are arranged in a checkerboard pattern and alternate with small diamond-shaped stars. The rugs have a wool or goat hair base. Sometimes, cotton is used for the weft. Some pieces contain silk to highlight the design figures. The asymmetric knot is employed. The colour of the background and edges is mainly rust red, brick red, tomato red or brownish red. In addition to these colours, shades of blue, brown, green, white and yellow appear in gulls and other geometric figures. Ersari antique rugs are valued on the antique market. All over the world, museums and collectors continue to acquire these beautiful works of art.

Dimensions:

Width: 80.32 in (204 cm)Length: 103.15 in (262 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Wool,Hand-Knotted

Place of Origin:

Central Asia

Period:

Late 19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Circa 1875

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.