Turkmen Ersari Cameltrapping

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hello all dear Members!

This time I would kindly like to show you my last purchase. I was told it is an early 20th century Turkmen Ersari Cameltrapping. Honestly, I didnt know anything about this particoular kind of rugs. So, I wanted to ask you whether did you know something about them ,which your opinion about my piece! I like especially the central pattern, find it quite fine. I attach a few photos and close-ups. Thank you so much.





Lorenzo

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Lorenzo

It's either a camel trapping or the face of a large torba (storage bag). It probably had a long fringe at the bottom, buth those are so fragile that they're seldom intact. Definitely Ersari, ca. 1900 seems reasonable. Congratulations.

Steve Price

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your prompt and kind reply! I found this rug on eBay recently. I have to add that it was quite dusty and stiff...it needed a good professional washing. Now, it seems to me to be in good condition and soft. Thanks, again.

Lorenzo

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

It’s a nice piece! The bottom (pictured) little fringe would not normally be there. If it was a Torba, long tassels for decoration are normally there instead. This was done later possibly for appearance or a cleaner look and is sometimes done by sellers/dealers. Nonetheless, nice find!

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hello Joe,

Thank you for your reply and interesting information. Yes, I knew that dealer or seller some times did this thing, eliminate the tassels. However, I think this was done earlier, certainly not by the last seller of the rug. Maybe, it was done in the past, at the origin.

Lorenzo

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

I just found better pics online and I can clearly see the tassels were not made from shortening the bottom of the piece as I thought from your pictures. This is generally done by using some of the backside after it was removed or in a rug, shortening it to make tassels. The pics I saw shows the back-flap intact and I can also see the original tassels knots. These knots are very distinct even on pieces with no tassels, remnants can still be seen. It’s possible someone in the last 125 years cut off the tassels and combed them out.

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hi Joe,

Thank you so much for your analysis. You are great, truly very knowledgable! Interesting thing, yes I too think this was done much time ago. I admit that while hoping to have a certain good eye for fine pieces ,I lack of knowlegde about weave and technique. I have learned a lot about thanks to this forum! You all Members are very knowledgable and kind.

Lorenzo

[Chuck Wagner Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck Wagner]

Hi Lorenzo,

That's a nice find, and I think Steve has got the origin and date correct. We were fortunate to find one still intact many years back; here's an image that shows the straps and fringe in original condition.

Congratulations
Chuck Wagner

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Lorenzo, thank you for the compliment but I am just a humble student in this field of masters. Everyday is a learning experience.

Chuck, your piece is stunning. Wow!

[Lorenzo De Rosa Registered Find all posts View Profile Close Lorenzo De Rosa]

Hi Chuck,

Thank you for your kind words. Congratulations for your excellent piece! Indeed, the central pattern is very, very similiar to mine. Basically the same design. Very beautiful the red colour. Thanks.

Lorenzo