Pair Yomut Turkomen Asmalyk Rugs. Circa 1880.

Rare Pair Yomut Turkomen Asmalyk Rugs. Circa 1880.

Matching pair of asmalyk rugs with an ivory ground and lattice design around the erre gul. The range of colours comprise indigo and light blues, and palette of terracotta browns and reds. Asmalyk were used to decorate the flanks of the camels in the Yomut Turkmen wedding procession, they usually formed part of the brides dowry and were woven in pairs.

Condition: Both asmalyk rugs retain good pile and colour, with even wear throughout. A few small holes to both rugs and fraying edges, noting decorative tassels are no longer present. Slight stain mark on one rug.

Dimensions approx (Each Chuval in folded form):

#1:
Height = 74 cm

Width = 121 cm

#2:
Height = 72 cm

Width = 119 cm

*An asmalyk (meaning "a thing to be hung" in Turkmen) is a distinctive five-sided textile traditionally woven by the Yomut tribe of Turkmenistan. These rare antique pieces were primarily used as ceremonial camel trappings to decorate the flanks of a bride's camel during a wedding procession. They were typically woven in identical pairs by the bride herself as part of her dowry, demonstrating her weaving skills to her new family. After the wedding, they were often hung inside the couple's tent (yurt) as decorative heirlooms. Hand-knotted using pure wool and natural vegetable dyes like deep indigo, madder red, and ivory.
Patterns: Common designs include diamond lattices, "stepped" serrated guls, and stylized tree or plant motifs. True Yomut weavings are often identified by their symmetrical knot structure, which differs from the asymmetric knots used by other tribes like the Tekke or Ersari.