Silk Kashgar

Silk Kashgar
207 x 114 cm (6' 9" x 3' 9")
East Turkestan, 19th century
Condition: good according to age, low pile, foundation partially visible, both lower corners incomplete, one missing part at upper end, one small hole at lower end, signs of use
Published: „Gewebt und geknüpft IV, antike Teppiche und Textilien aus oberösterreichischem Privatbesitz", Georg Butterweck, 2011, plate 37
Warp: cotton, weft: cotton, pile: silk

The rare field design of this silk rug reminds us initially of the pomegranate design for which East Turkestan is famous. Closer inspection reveals inspirations from more westerly traditions. Safavid Persia is known for having an influence on the Kashgar oasis.

Not only the metal brocading technique, well known from the so-called Polonaise carpets, but also the very naturalistic flowery designs of the herati style arrived in the most western of the East Turkestan oases. This specific interpretation of the herati style is rare, but a remarkably similar example can be found in the MAK in Vienna. That carpet, almost identical, came to the museum in 1906 from the K.K. Handels-Museum. It is published in H. Natschläger/A. Völker, Knüpfteppiche aus China und Ostturkestan, 1986, p. 46.

Chinese influence can be found in the minor borders so typical for East Turkestan. As early as the 16th century the design appears in classical Chinese carpets. The main border shows, on a blue ground, the boxy three-flower motif which is typical for East Turkestan and is sometimes put into squares. A long rug with the same extremely rare field design was with Moke Mokotoff and is published in HALI 85, p. 103.

Estimate: € 6000 - 8000