A Yomud asmalyk, West Turkestan

Warp:  wool, Z2S, natural ivory



Weft:  wool, Z spun, natural ivory and light brown, 2 shoots



Pile:  wool, symmetrical knot



Density:  9-10 horizontal, 17-19 vertical



Sides:  not extant



Ends: upper with original dark blue and purple-brown kilim folded under and sewn; lower end not extant



Colors:  purple-brown, madder, dark blue, medium blue, soft gold, ivory, walnut

Pile generally good, very closely sheared 1/10 inch with scattered areas of foldwear low to knotheads and minor spot foundation. Missing side guard stripes, now with later selvage. Upper end with original kilim end folded under and sewn; lower end missing guard borders, now with warp fringes. Dense weave, flexible handle, good overall condition.
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.

Seven-sided or heptagonal asmalyks such as this are a more rare format in Yomud weaving than those with five sides, such as lot 50 in this catalogue.   Three heptagonal examples with a similar diagonal serrated lattice design to this asmalyk are one from the Straka collection now in the Textile Museum, see Jerome Straka and Louise Mackie, eds., The Oriental Rug Collection of Jerome and Mary Jane Straka, Washington, D.C., 1979, pl. 9; another in the Museum of Ethnography, St. Petersburg, see Elena Tzareva, Rugs and Carpets from Central Asia, Leningrad, 1984, fig. 77 and that in Werner Loges, Turkoman Tribal Rugs, London, 1980, pl. 46.  An unusual characteristic of this particular asmalyk is the top border which changes in design and coloring from the side and lower borders as in a five sided asmalyk from the collection of Arthur J. Arwine, published in Louise W. Mackie and Jon Thompson, Turkmen Tribal Carpets and Traditions, Washington, D.C., 1980, pl. 75.