An Ersari rug, Middle Amu Darya, Central Asia,

Pile ranges from good 1/8 inch with many areas of foldwear low to knotheads and foundation, some with slits now sewn together; a 3 by 1 inch hole in field now sewn to linen on reverse. Sides with partial barberpole guard stripe and possibly missing outer yellow guard stripe if the sides had the same guards as the ends. Ends with uneven kilim end finishes; upper end with 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches of red with remnants of blue striped kilim; lower end 1/2 to 2 inches of red and blue striped kilim; both ends with fraying. Supple handle, sound fabric, respectable condition for age and retains good vibrant color.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The highly unusual design of this rug, featuring leafy branches on an ivory field, is shared with two prayer rugs (namazlyks) one published by Eberhart Herrmann, Asiatische Teppich-und Textilkunst, band 3, Munich, 1991, pl. 59, pp. 126-127 and one in the Museum of Ethnography, St. Petersburg, see Elena Tzareva, Rugs and Carpets from Central Asia, Leningrad, 1984, pl. 98, p. 147.  A rug with a more stylized version of this design is also found on lot 71 in this catalogue. In the present example, as in the Herrmann and St. Petersburg rugs, the ivory ground sets off the variety of colors found in the curling bat-shaped leaves (see Georg Butterweck, et al, Antique Oriental Carpets from Austrian Collections, Vienna, 1986, no. 120a describing the rug subsequently published by Herrmann) which appear to shimmer and flutter across the surface of the rug.  Unlike the two sited examples, the present rug does not have the two columns or arch, which lends the design more of a free character.  All three rugs have different border systems although all are found on other Ersari weavings with that of the present rug similar to one on the grand ivory ground Mosque saph fragments now in the Bokhara Museum, see V.G. Moshkova, Carpets of the People of Central Asia, Tucson, Arizona, 1996, pl. 129.