Early Salor Torba

130 x 57 cm (4' 3" x 1' 10")
Turkmenistan, mid 18th century or before
Condition: very good for its age, full pile, minor small repairs, corroded purple silk, slight signs of use
Warp: wool, weft: wool, pile: wool and silk

This unique piece perfectly demonstrates why the Salors are considered the 'elite' among the Turkmen. The skillful design of a mosaic featuring hook-adorned diamonds and Memling-Güls makes this piece especially appealing. It is an elegant composition found only in the very finest Turkmen works.
In addition to the classic Salor primary and secondary borders, the lower edge of these hangings always features an Elem with a Chamtos pattern, which already appears on early Islamic woodwork; see Metropolitan Museum of Art, Inv. No. 1937.103.
Fewer than twelve Salor pieces with Memling-Güls are known, most of which feature only two horizontal rows. Another three-row example from the Munkacsi Collection is published as No. 8 in Jürg Rageth's "Turkmen Carpets". This one, however, has only four vertical rows. In our hanging, three by six rows are depicted in a unique and highly impressive manner, suggesting an endless repeat.
The captivating colors are further accentuated by the generous use of shiny silk, while the delicate border system skillfully contrasts with the field. A unique masterpiece of Turkmen carpet art.

Estimate: € 70000 - 90000