Turkmen rug

The Teke design Turkmen carpet. This pattern is often referred to as the "Bukhara" print design.

A Turkmen rug (Turkmen: Türkmen haly; or Turkmen carpet or Turkoman carpet) is a type of handmade floor-covering textile traditionally originating in Central Asia. It is useful to distinguish between the original Turkmen tribal rugs and the rugs produced in large numbers for export mainly in Pakistan and Iran today. The original Turkmen rugs were produced by the Turkmen tribes who are the main ethnic group in Turkmenistan and are also found in Afghanistan and Iran. They are used for various purposes, including tent rugs, door hangings and bags of various sizes.

History

Two Turkmen men standing on a carpet in front of a yurt. (1905-1915)
Five Tree Yomut Asmalyk, Turkmenistan, 18-19th century.
Carpets in Altyn Asyr Bazaar

A few centuries back, almost all Turkmen rugs were produced by nomadic tribes almost entirely with locally obtained materials, wool from the herds and vegetable dyes, or other natural dyes from the land. They used geometrical designs that varied from tribe to tribe; most famous are the Yomut, Ersari, Saryk, Salor, and Tekke. Irregularities — considered part of the charm by many rug collectors — were fairly common since natural materials varied from batch to batch and woolen warp or weft may stretch, especially on a loom that is regularly folded up for transport and set up a new at another camp.

More recently, large rug workshops in the cities have appeared, there are fewer irregularities, and the technology has changed some. Since about 1910, synthetic dyes have been used along with natural ones.[1] The size of nomadic rugs is limited to what can be done on a nomad's portable loom; larger rugs have always been produced in the villages, but they are now more common. Using cotton for warp and weft threads has also become common.

The rugs produced in large numbers for export in Pakistan and Iran and sold under the name of Turkmen rugs are mostly made of synthetic colors, with cotton warps and wefts and wool pile. They have little in common with the original Turkmen tribal rugs. In these export rugs, various patterns and colors are used, but the most typical is that of the Bukhara design, which derives from the Tekke main carpet, often with a red or tan background (picture). Another favorite is derived from the Ersari main carpet, with the octagonal elephant's foot design. The Turkmen Carpet Museum, which preserves examples of the original Turkmen tribal rugs, is located in Ashgabat.

Many Afghan rugs bear a strong resemblance to Turkmen rugs. Afghanistan produces a lot of relatively cheap and coarse rugs, mainly for export, and many of those are in a "Bokhara" design. However, there are also some very fine Afghans including many using Turkmen designs.

Turkmenistan

The largest carpet in the world

At the end of the 20th century, carpet weaving in Turkmenistan had become one of the most important sectors of the economy. In 1992, Turkmen Carpet Day officially became a public national holiday, celebrated annually on the last Sunday in May.[2] Among the modern Turkmen carpets stands the world's largest handmade carpet total area of 301 m2, which was woven in 2001, and in 2003 entered in the Guinness Book of Records.[3][4]

Heraldry

The vertical strip of the Flag of Turkmenistan placed five main patterns of Turkmen carpets. These figures are arranged. Secondary figures are disposed along the edges. Patterns reflect national unity of Turkmenistan. The five traditional carpet motifs in Emblem of Turkmenistan on the red disc represent the five major tribes or houses, and stand for the traditional and religious values of the country. These Turkmen tribes in traditional order are Teke, Yomut, Arsary, Chowdur and Saryk (Saryq).

Images in heraldry
Flag of Turkmenistan Emblem of Turkmenistan Emblem of Turkmenistan (1992—2000) Emblem of Turkmenistan (2000—2003) Emblem of Turkmenistan as a republic within the Soviet Union (1937-1991) and post-independent Turkmenistan (1991-1992)

Ministry of Carpets

Turkmenhaly (Ministry of Carpets)

State Association Turkmenhaly is a major supplier to the world market of pure wool pile hand-made Turkmen carpets from Turkmenistan. The principal activities of the corporation are the production and sale of Turkmen carpets and rugs, preserving the traditions of carpet weaving hand, the restoration of old carpet ornaments and articles.[5]

Turkmen Carpet Museum

Turkmenistan Presidential Decree of 20 March 1993 in Ashgabat was created Turkmen Carpet Museum. The Carpet Museum is one of the cultural centers of Turkmenistan, which put about 2,000 carpet exhibits, including rare ones. For example, the museum has the smallest carpet product, designed to be worn keys. The museum conducted restoration of antique carpet. It's a challenging process - some artfully woven old specimens contain up to 1,350,000 knots. The museum is constantly updated, its employees conduct search and collection of old carpets. The new building of the National Museum of Turkmen Carpet takes overall 5089 m2. The museum hosts international scientific forums and conferences.[6]

Major towns producing rugs

Bereket, Turkmen carpet weaving factory since 1923.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Between the Black Desert and the Red: Turkmen Carpets from the Wiedersperg Collection, San Francisco, Fine Arts Museum, 1999
  2. ↑ Turkmen carpet day marked as national holiday
  3. ↑ LARGEST ARCHITECTURAL STAR RECORD SET IN TURKMENISTAN
  4. ↑ Turkmen biggest carpet included in Guinness World Records
  5. ↑ French Bouygues to build office building for Turkmenhaly state corporation and Museum of Turkmen carpet in Ashgabat
  6. ↑ Day of Turkmen Carpet celebrated in Turkmenistan
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