A Yomut main carpet, West Turkestan

with 'kepse' güls

Overall measurements: Pile varies from 2 - 3mm in borders down 1 -2mm in field and localised minor areas of wear to knotheads. There is a small hole in upper right of elem, approx. 1cm square and further three holes in the lower elem of similar size, two of which have been repaired. A small re-weave on upper edge approximately 5 by 2cm. A small patch the upper right hand side of the border and some very small areas of re-piling adjacent. A further, similar scaled, patched repair found further down in border, near the central axis. Vestiges of original sidecord wrapping. Lower end with approx 1cm of ivory plain weave. Upper end, unusually, approx. 1cm of ivory pile to frame elem end, with some losses. Vestiges of warp fringes. A beautifully balanced example with a broad range of clear and varied colour incorporating unusual design elements, including the chequered motif in upper elem. Beautifully drawn border.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present Yomut main carpet, or khali, presents a number of highly unusual traits for this particular group of weavings. For example ‘sheaf’, or kepse, güls are often seen within the group, but the arrangement of diagonal rows in three colourways - blue, green and then white - is more unusual and lends additional dynamism to the field. A simpler arrangement of white alternating with a colour is more usual, see Mackie. L., Thompson. J. (ed.), Turkmen Tribal Carpets and Traditions, Washington 1980, pp. 153 & 155, pl. 65.   The border design is also uncommon and seems to draw inspiration from a number of other Turkmen sources. For example the hooked and stepped güls can also be seen in the border guards of Tekke Torbas, examples can be seen Mackie. L., Thompson. J. (ed.), ibid, pp. 108 & 109, pls. 36 & 37, and sometimes in Chodor main carpets, p. 122. One Yomut main carpet shares a related border design and again published, ibid, p.156, pl. 67, and an example with similar meandering serrated vines sold Christie’s London, 26 October 2017, lot 270. However the inclusion of the ‘C’ gül motifs within the border of the present lot is extremely unusual, although they are sometimes found within the kepse güls of main carpets. Two further irregularities can be noted in the present lot: the first the employment of an elem design more associated with Yomut Ensis, see Loges. W., Turkoman Tribal Rugs, New York, 1980, pp. 78 & 79, pl. 40. The other is the charming inclusion of the chequerboard motif in the corner of one elem.