A Yomut 'Eagle Gul' group main carpet, Southwest Turkestan

Overall measurements: 172cm across the top, 167cm across the bottom, 266cm along left side, 272cm along right side Lustrous, dense pile, generally approx. 2mm in depth with some localised wear to foundation, scattered holes, damage and repairs, stepped 'L' shaped reweave in upper quarter of field 40cm wide and 15 and 23cm high and another 8 by 8cm. Reweaves generally visible in illustration as lighter coloured areas. If personal inspection is not possible, additional photographs showing the damaged areas are available from the department; if required please contact Stephanie.Douglas@sothebys.com
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The 'Eagle Gul' is one of the most ornate designs found in tribal Turkmen carpet weaving. Initially recorded in the early 20th century by Russian General A.A. Bogolyubov, he attributed these rugs to the Ogurjali tribe who subsequently merged with the Yomut, see Bogolyubov, A., Tapis de l'Asie Centrale, St Petersburg, Russia, 1908/9. Ulrich Schurmann also assigned them to the Yomut, and noted the similarity in ornament to Caucasian design - early Caucasian carpets incorporated large open palmettes not dissimilar to the Eagle gul. There are also echoes of the court sponsored carpets of 17th century Persia, both in this lot and Lot 23, the ‘C’ Gul carpet. Both pieces use the sometime-called ‘boat’ border, likely a development from the scrolled vine and palmette border seen in 17^th century Persian examples, see Sotheby’s New York, 1 October 2015, lot 97 and Fig.1.  for a closely related prototype.

The Eagle gul can be likened to the larger splayed palmette of 17^th century central Persia, and the secondary Dyrnak gul may also have been inspired by the diagonal feathered palmettes found in Kirman vase carpets. For further discussion se Ed. Mackie, L. and Thompson, J., Turkmen Tribal Carpets and Traditions, U.S.A, 1980, p. 136.  For an example of these palmettes, and an example which shows another transition inspired by Kirman works, see the Azerbaijan carpet sold Sotheby’s, New York, 2 June 2010, lot 171.

Rautenstengel, A. and V., and Azadi, S., Studien zur Teppich Cultur de Turkmen, Turkmen Main Carpets of Different Tribes with 'Eagle' - and Dyrnak-Gols, proposes three groups for Eagle gul carpets, based on design and structural similarities. The present lot, in design, belongs to Group II. Design differences between Group I and II are slight, mainly noticeable in the 'Eagle guls', in Group I the gul is generally more spherical and compact in design.  They are considered the oldest of the three groups. The other differences are in accordance with material and structure. It is at this juncture that present lot poses a dilemma, in that the overall design is more typical of a Group II – note the minor borders – however it is recorded that Group II Eagle guls have cotton in the weft shoots and are asymmetrically knotted to the right;  the present work is asymmetrically knotted and open to the left and does not appear to have cotton, but possibly includes silk, which is more typical of Group I. A further anomaly can be found in the tertiary guls, found between the primary Eagle guls, where the central design differs and alternates each row which is a very uncommon trait within the group. Given the plausible age of the present work it is possible that it is a transitional weaving between Groups I and II.  

An example of a published Eagle group II main carpet which relates to the present lot can be found in Rautenstengel, op.cit., p. 81, pl. 9. A further similar example can be seen in Ed. Mackie, L. and Thompson, J., op.cit, p. 142. pl. 60, in this case the design of the main 'Eagle' guls are very alike. Comparable works which sold at auction are Christies, London, April 2004, lot 95 and the immensely successful example sold at Rippon Boswell, Germany, March 1992, lot 142. 

For comprehensive discussion on the 'Eagle' group carpets, comparison on structure and illustrations of each type see Rautenstengel, A. and V., op.cit., and Azadi, S., Studien zur Teppich Cultur de Turkmen, Turkmen Main Carpets of Different Tribes with 'Eagle' - and Dyrnak-Gols, Germany, 1990.