Description
Antique Yomud Kepse Main Carpet
Turkmenistan, second half of the 19th century
326 × 185 cm
An impressive and unusually large Yomud main carpet, distinguished by an all-over arrangement of kepse guls. The ornaments are placed in staggered diagonal rows across a warm madder-red field, creating a continuous sense of movement rather than the more rigid vertical organisation found in many Turkmen main carpets.
Each kepse gul is built around a lozenge-shaped centre filled with small geometric details and surrounded by projecting hooked and pendant forms. The design is drawn in dark indigo, blue-green, aubergine, red and ivory. Numerous small ivory details enliven the field and give the otherwise restrained composition an almost shimmering quality.
A powerful ivory-ground principal border, formed from interlocking serrated motifs, encloses the field. Narrow geometric guard borders provide additional definition. Particularly noteworthy are the broad elem panels preserved at both ends, decorated with strongly drawn chevron or stylised tree forms. Their survival substantially enhances the carpet’s visual and ethnographic interest.
Despite the repetition of a single principal ornament, subtle variations in drawing and colour prevent the composition from appearing mechanical. Its generous scale, beautifully aged palette and confident tribal drawing give the carpet considerable decorative presence.
The carpet shows wear consistent with considerable age and traditional use, including areas of reduced pile and minor losses. Both decorated end panels remain substantially intact. Please refer to the photographs for a detailed assessment of condition.
Origin: Yomud Turkmen
Design: Diagonally arranged kepse guls
Date: Second half of the 19th century, circa 1870–1890
Materials: Wool pile on a wool foundation
Dimensions: 326 × 185 cm
Condition: Age-related wear, areas of lower pile and minor losses; substantially complete with both elem panels preserved.
