Rare Antique Pair Turkoman Tekke Tribal Chuvals (Carpet) #1. Circa 1910.

Rare Antique Pair Turkoman Tekke Tribal Chuvals in Carpet / Thick Pile form. Circa 1910.

Superb matching pair, in full bag 'carpet' (closed / stitched form), and each finely woven with 16 gul decoration. Beautiful matching pair and prestine condition. Museum quality.

A Turkmen chuval is an antique, hand-woven storage bag, typically created by Central Asian nomadic tribes (Tekke, Yomut, Ersari) to transport belongings, often serving as decorative camel trappings during wedding processions. Each Turkmen tribe has its own specific gul. The Tekke gul is characterized by its refined symmetry and disciplined grid organization, as represented this pair of Chuvals.

This pair of rugs in both 'hand-knotted' pile and 'flat-weave' (Kilim). Notably Turkoman Tekke Tribal Kilim (also known as a Palas) is a flat-woven textile produced by the Tekke tribe, historically the most influential nomadic group in Turkmenistan and parts of Afghanistan and Iran. Unlike hand-knotted "pile" rugs, kilims are flat-woven, making them lighter, reversible, and more versatile for nomadic life.

Condition: Exceptional original condition (closed bag form). Rich colours and unused, most likely dowry / marriage gifts. Highlights of orange and indigo blue contrasting beautifully together. Near perfect.

Dimensions approx (Each Chuval in folded form):

#1:
Height = 78 cm

Width = 125 cm

#2:
Height = 78 cm

Width = 123 cm

*Key Characteristics:

Technique: Pile rug form, hand-knotted integrated with flat-weave techniques.

Design Motifs: The most iconic feature is the iconic Tekke Gul, an octagonal, stylized medallion often referred to as an "elephant foot" / symmetrical and rounded octagon.

Tekke Colour Palette: Typically dominated by deep madder reds, reddish-browns, and mahogany, with highlights in ivory, indigo blue, orange and charcoal.

Material: Traditionally 100% hand-spun wool from local sheep, sometimes incorporating small highlights of silk in antique pieces.