Antique Yomut Turkmen Engsi with small human figure.
Size: 163 x 125cm
19th Century.
Used these days as small rugs, this Engsi is a door hanging woven by a member of the Turkmen Yomut tribe. It was used on the inside of the Turkmen yurt and was an extremely symbolic rug, representing the gateway to Paradise. The central cross divided the field into the four symbolic gardens of Paradise where the cross represents a pre-Islamic symbol for breaking down evil. One of these gardens features a small human figure, extremely rare on this type of rug.
This superb Engsi was made by Yomut Turkmen at the end of the 19th century and has stunning colours. It is in very good condition overall with one patch of low pile lower centre left, but it has very nice soft wool. A truly great example.
Antique Yomut Turkmen Engsi with small human figure, 19th Century.
Antique: 100 years old and over.
Semi-Antique: 50 to 99 years old.
Vintage: 20 to 49 years old.