first half 19th century, 38 x 70 cm, Central Asia, West Turkestan

Apart from the larger chuvals and torbas, the Tekke Turkmen also made smaller bags. They are called mafrash or kap depending on their dimensions, without differing in design. The two white fields with a large tree in the centre are framed by a border of differently coloured boxes containing a small plant. C-forms decorate the white-ground outer border. This mafrash was probably woven in the first half of the 19th century, as indicated by the powerful style of drawing and generous division of space. The light, brilliant colours show that the bags originate from the area of the Akhal oasis.

Signs of age and wear, fragmented upper left corner, a number of holes, slightly damaged all around. No kilim back. Provenance: Ehrengard Freifrau von Trotha Collection. Formerly in the collection of Peter-Christian Graf von Kleist-Retzow

PINNER, ROBERT, The Rickmers Collection. Turkoman Rugs. Berlin 1993, no. 39 *** WALKER, DANIEL, Oriental Rugs of the Hajji Babas. New York 1982, no. 33 *** HOFFMEISTER, PETER, Turkoman Carpets in Franconia. Edinburgh 1980, no. 45 *** HAMBURGISCHES MUSEUM FÜR VÖLKERKUNDE (publ.), Wie Blumen in der Wüste. Hamburg 1993, no. 27