A Tekke "animal - tree" asmalyk, West Turkestan

Wie Blumen in der Wüste, Museum fur Völkerkunde, Hamburg, 1993

Peter A. Andrews, et al., Wie Blumen in der Wüste, Hamburg, 1993, no. 28

Pile generally good, near original 1/8in. with scattered moth damage; particularl;y to right side and to upper end. A band of oxidized red wool in ground near upper left side. Minor scattered foldwear. Some small areas of repiled moth damage and some areas with insterted warps and wefts. Sides later overcast with losses and fraying. Lower end with partial end guard borders now secured with a binding stitch. Upper end with losses to ivory guard border, also secured with a binding stitch and with some fraying. Highly lustrous wool, sound fabric and 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.

Tekke asmalyks are among the more rare of Turkmen weavings, and those with the 'animal-tree' design the most rare with around a dozen examples known to date, see Hali, issue 136, p. 115.   The esteem with which these trappings have been regarded since they were woven is evident in all of them having remained in good condition, indicating that their use was reserved for only the most important of ceremonial occasions.  That they continue to be revered is demonstrated by the 'animal-tree' asmalyk that was top lot in the sale of Robert Pinner's collection, see The Lesley and Robert Pinner Collection of Turkmen rugs, Rippon- Boswell, Wiesbaden, May 15, 2004, lot 78.  The asmalyk offered here is most similar in its design scheme among the known animal-tree asmalyks to that in the Hermitage Museum and the Pinner piece.  There are subtle differences between the three:  here the top blossom, or tree, is rendered in white and the border appears to be slightly wider, allowing the drawing of the curling leaf motif to be more generous.  In addition to the seven works cited in "The Bird and Animal Tree Asmalyk," Robert Pinner and Michael Franses, eds., Turkoman Studies I, London, 1980, pp. 121-125, other examples sold at auction are listed in Hali, op.cit., p. 115.   Two other published examples are, Georg Butterweck et al., Antique Oriental Carpets from Austrian Collections, Vienna, 1986, pl. 111, and Dennis R. Dodds and Murray L. Eiland, Jr., eds., Oriental Rugs from Atlantic Collections, Philadelphia 1996, pl. 241.