Lot 115

ERSARI ENGSI RUG

A typical example of hand tying of the Turkmen Ersari tribe. The so-called 'engsi', designed mainly to cover the entrance to the circular yurt (or kibitka), has changed only minimally over the centuries and is characterised by its strictly geometric iconography. In the mostly brick-red ground of the four rectangular central segments, divided by a cross, what is particularly striking are the numerous and stylized 'ram's horns' in the colour of dark indigo - these elements, however, are called 'insi kuš' in tribal symbolism and in fact represent stylized birds, among other things, the link between heaven and earth. The central composition of the 'hachlu' is a broad cross, whose meaning is to protect the dwelling from the so-called evil eye and is devoid of Christian connotations. Some of the highly geometric motifs throughout the rug design include stylised flowers, trees and good luck charms. The Turkmens were masters of the craft, excelling in the fantastic workmanship of sheep's wool, which they hand-spun and also dyed using only natural ingredients from steppe and mountain plants; our rug is also dyed in a purely natural way (and most likely with dye - the tiny yellow elements are typical of the Ersari tribe). The attractiveness of the carpet is enhanced by three types of borders, the main one with beautiful star-shaped flowers. According to the composition and colours, the carpet originated with the Turkmen Ersari tribal group, settled in northern Afghanistan. Professionally cleaned on both sides.