Mid 19th century, 51 x 119 cm, Central Asia, South West Turkestan

This large Göklen torba shows a hermetic ak su repeat of orange hooked rectangles on a midnight blue ground within a brilliant white, complex lattice of convoluted lines. The striking appearance of this torba is due to the sharp light-dark contrast and the precision of drawing. The narrow, single-band border contains small diamonds and tiny pairs of diamonds on a red ground. The plain, dark brown outer band, wide at the sides and less wide at the top and bottom, is characteristic of these bags. It is completely preserved in this item. The asymmetric knots open to the left, three-ply pile wool and pale red silk wefts might suggest that this torba belongs to Eagle Group I, but the somewhat sinuous back and less fine weave contradict this. The torba is thus attributable to Eagle Group III. – Very good condition, with the pile at its original height and original side finishes. The upper finish is also original; at the bottom, the kilim has been folded back and stitched to the reverse. The back is missing. The decorative fringe and the cords attached to the upper part of the sides appear to be later additions.

RAUTENSTENGEL, ANNETTE & VOLKER & AZADI, SIAWOSCH, Studien zur Teppich-Kultur der Turkmen. Hilden 1990, no. 21 a *** GROTE-HASENBALG, WERNER, Der Orientteppich. Seine Geschichte und seine Kultur. Berlin 1922. Vol. 3, pl. 91 *** DODDS, DENNIS & EILAND, MURRAY L. JR. (eds.), Oriental Rugs From Atlantic Collections. Philadelphia 1996, nos. 213, 214 *** SAMMLUNG HCS, exhibition catalogue "Große Taschen, kleine Taschen". Miniaturkunst der Turkmenen aus der Sammlung HCS (Hans Christian Sienknecht). Hodenhagen 1997, nos. 47, 49