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Tekke Main Carpet

early 19th century
Not on view
Large rectangular carpets such as this one, the most important and expensive weavings created by every Turkmen tribe, are referred to as ‘main carpets.’ They were the primary floor covering used in Turkmen tents, and were decorated with the main gul, the most important symbol used for each tribe. The nomadic Turkmen of Central Asia are renowned for their technically skilled and visually dramatic weaving. This carpet can be attributed to the Tekke subgroup of the Turkmen nomads based on the specific form of the gul motifs, which are unique to each tribal unit. The skill of the Turkmen weavers can be seen in the expertly conceived and meticulously executed design of this carpet.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tekke Main Carpet
  • Date: early 19th century
  • Geography: Attributed to Turkmenistan, Central Asia
  • Medium: Wool (warp), wool (weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
  • Dimensions: H. 110 in. (279.4 cm)
    W. 72 1/2 in. (184.2 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Rugs
  • Credit Line: The James F. Ballard Collection, Gift of James F. Ballard, 1922
  • Object Number: 22.100.45
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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‘Ghirlandaio’ Carpet, Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
‘Ghirlandaio’ Carpet
19th century
'Ghirlandaio' Carpet, Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
'Ghirlandaio' Carpet
late 19th century
Carpet, Wool (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
Carpet
19th century
Tekke Main Carpet, Wool; asymmetrically knotted pile
Tekke Main Carpet
probably early–mid-19th century
Textile Fragment, Wool (warp, weft and pile); asymmetrically knotted pile
Textile Fragment
probably 19th century

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