Object Description
Early Beshir Long Rug, c. 1880
4.81 x 2.15 m
Early Beshir rugs were woven in Turkmenistan, in Central Asia. They are best known for their distinctive weaving style, in a region where most rugs produced by their neighbouring tribes can be recognised by their so-called elephant foot pattern, dense compositions, and deep blues and reds, as opposed to the more open formats, and warmer terracotta tones, of the Beshir carpets.
This late-19th-century example has a high-quality weave, lending a crisp clarity to its design, with graphic motifs in earthy ochre tones, and subtle green accents, repeated over a muted terracotta ground – all in organic vegetable dyes, which have taken on a charming patina. The creative drawing in the central field is framed by three individual borders, still intact on all four sides, remarkable for a rug of this age.
Retained in very good condition for everyday use, with a fine, weathered patina.
An attractive example, rare in this large format, with a tribal charm and character to suit a variety of settings.