Ersari Beshir Rugs

Of all the Turkmen tribes the Beshir of the Ersari lived about the closest to Bukhara. They wove designs that seem closer to a city design than most Turkmen rugs.

One problem is that some experts started labeling everything they were unsure of as Beshir.

There are also Beshir in Afghanistan who weave a more traditional Turkmen design.

Examples:

A Huge Beshir Chuval Face
A Huge Beshir Chuval Face

Title A huge Beshir chuval face, BUKHARA EMIRATE, late 19th century

Size 193 x 103 cm


 Beshir 3-Arch Prayer Rug
 Beshir 3 Arch Prayer Rug

A Beshir Prayer Rug, SOUTH TURKESTAN,

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 6ft. 7in. by 3ft. 6in. (2.01 by 1.07m.)

DESCRIPTION

Circa 1875 rewoven end guard borders, foldwear, minor repiling,

Beshir prayer rugs that feature an ivory mihrab enclosing an ascending pomegranate tree are rare with less than 10 known and published. Here, there are three distinct arches topped by a hooked terminal which set it apart from the usual two arches found in its counterparts. The rosettes that decorate both the interior red reserve and surround also differ from the other examples. For similar examples please see lot 55, Sotheby’s New York, September 20, 2001; Dr. Jon Thompson and Mackie, Louise, Turkmen, Washington, D.C., 1980, pl. 95; Schürmann, Ulrich, Central-Asian Rugs, Frankfurt, 1969, pl. 48; Sotheby’s New York, April 30, 1983, lot 136; Rippon Boswell & Co., Wiesbaden, November 10, 1990, lot 150; and Eiland, Murray L., Jr., “Defining Types: The ‘Beshir’ Prayer Rug,” Hali, issue 115, p. 81.


Beshir kelleh, circa 1890
Beshir kelleh circa 1890

W – A Beshir kelleh, East Turkestan, circa 1890

MEASUREMENTS

515 by 220 cm. 16ft. 11in. by 7ft. 3in.


Beshir Rug
Beshir Rug

A Beshir Carpet, SOUTH TURKESTAN,

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 4ft. 2in. by 3ft. 2in. (1.27 by 0.96m.)

DESCRIPTION

mid-19th century kilim end finishes, foldwear, repaired slits, losses to upper kilim and guard stripe, selvages fraying in areas,

The double-prayer niche design of this rug is derived from more intricate Beshir weavings such as Sotheby’s New York, September 20, 2001, lot 55, April 21, 1994, lot 77 and October 30, 1981, lot 165. Here the drawing is more stylized and archaic, possibly suggesting the work of a more nomadic branch of the Beshir or of another Central Asian tribe. For a related, similarly boldly executed example, please see Sotheby’s New York, December 1, 1984, lot 105.


Beshir Amu Darja Jollar
Beshir Amu Darja Jollar

Title: A Beshir Jollar

Origin: Central Asia, Amu Darja Region, ca. 1900

Size: approx. 67 x 166 cm

Notes on Condition – Literature References

Scattered minor moth damage, restored in one area, original sides.


Antique Beshir Carpet, 1st half 19th century
Antique Beshir Carpet 1st half 19th century

Beshir Carpet

315 x 175

First Half 19th century


Antique Beshir Carpet
Antique Beshir Carpet

Beshir Carpet

240 x 138

Third Quarter 19th century


Beshir Ensi Rug, circa 1880
Beshir Ensi Rug circa 1880

A BESHIR ENGSI, SOUTH TURKESTAN,

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 6ft. 4in. by 5ft. 4in. (1.93 by 1.63m.)

DESCRIPTION

Circa 1880 foldwear, reselvaged in areas,


Ersari Beshir Prayer Rug
Ersari Beshir Prayer Rug

Ersari Beshir Prayer Rug

Ersari Beshir Prayer Rug,

Southeast Turkmenistan mid Nineteenth Century.

Warp: Wool, Z2S grey/medium brown mix.

Weft: wool, 1Z grey/medium brown mix, or light or dark red..

Pile: wool asymmetrical knot open to the right.

Density 6-7H and 7-8V.

Sides: Wool 2 cords of two cords each, overcast brown and red (not original).

Ends: warp fringe.

Size: Approximately 4 ft. 8 in. by 2 ft. 10 in. (1.42m. by 0.86 m.)

Colors: Deep red madder, teal blue, ecru, maize, citron, lapis, saphire, light azure, wedgewood blue, coffee.


Beshir Rug
Beshir Rug

AN ERSARI BESHIR RUG, SOUTH TURKESTAN,

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 6ft. 9in. by 3ft. 7in. (2.06 by 1.09m.)


Beshir Rugs: “The best Beshir prayer rug “
Beshir Rugs: "The best Beshir prayer rug "

Beshir Rugs: "The best Beshir prayer rug "

A Beshir prayer rug, South Turkestan,

DESCRIPTION

A Beshir prayer rug, South Turkestan, early 19th century, original finish one end, pinholes, small reweaves, foldwear, partial end guard stripe one end, partially reselvaged,

Approximately 7ft. 7in. by 4ft. 9in. (2.31 by 1.45m.)

Beshir rugs of this distinct prayer design, where an ivory mihrab with pomegranate branches encloses a smaller, red mihrab of flowering shrubs, are rare. Related published examples include Schurmann, Ulrich, Central Asian Rugs, Frankfurt-am-Main, 1969, pl. 48; Sotheby’s New York, April 30, 1983, lot 136; Rippon Boswell & Co., Wiesbaden, November 10, 1990, lot 150; Eiland, Murray L., Jr., “Defining Types: The ‘Beshir’ Prayer Rug,” Hali, issue 115, p. 81; and a rug in the Textile Museum, see Mackie, Louise W. and Dr. Jon Thompson, Turkmen Tribal Carpets and Traditions, Washington, D.C., 1980, pl. 95, p. 186.

Setting it apart from those rugs cited, the present rug has a red key hole arch that echoes that of its larger ivory mihrab. There is also a contrast of scale in the delicate drawing of the pomegranate trees and the bolder floral shrubs in the surrounding red areas. The space allocated to these shrubs is also unusual when compared with other Beshir prayer rugs. The understanding of design demonstrated by the weaver of this rug is matched with lustrous wool dyed in an array of vivid colors, characteristics shared with the best Beshir work. Here, all these elements combine to create a weaving that excels, both to the touch and to the eye.

In their review of the previous auction of this rug, the editors of Hali stated that the rug here offered is the best Beshir prayer rug of this small design group, see “Marketplace,” Hali, issue 91, p. 157, “It is unsurpassed in our experience in its quality of drawing, proportions and clarity of colors, including the luminous red and white of the ground.”


Beshire or Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug
Beshire or Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug

Beshire or Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug

Beshir Prayer Rug,

Southeast Turkmenistan late eighteenth – early nineteenth century.

Warp: goat hair, charcoal natural, Z2S.

Weft: wool, light gray natural, Z2S two shoots alternating equally wavy.

Pile: wool Z2 asymmetrical knot open to the right. 0-20 alternate warp depression, H6xV8, knot halves strongly displaced.

Sides: two bundles of two body warps, wrapped in black goat hair.

Ends: both rewoven.

Size: Approximately 6 ft. 2 in. by 3 ft. 4 in. (1.88 m. by 1.02m.)

Colors: cream, light wine, black surmey, medium blue, salmon, pale yellow, brownish dusty rose.


Ersari Beshir Rug, circa 1875
Ersari Beshir Rug  circa 1875

AN Ersari Beshir Rug, SOUTH TURKESTAN,

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 6ft. 9in. by 3ft. 7in. (2.06 by 1.09m.)

DESCRIPTION

Circa 1875 original kilim ends, foldwear, scattered repiling, overcast sides, rewoven kilim one corner,


Ersari Beshir Chuval, circa 1870
Ersari Beshir Chuval circa 1870

Ersari Beshir Chuval circa 1870

AN ERSARI BESHIR CHUVAL, SOUTH TURKESTAN

MEASUREMENTS

approximately 3ft. by 5ft. (0.91 by 1.52m.) and 2ft. 11in. by 5ft. 1in. (0.89 by 1.55m.) (2)

DESCRIPTION

Circa 1870

Together with an Ersari chuval, South Turkestan, circa 1890


Ersari Beshir Chuval
Ersari Beshir Chuval

Beshire Juval, circa mid-19th century

This Beshire juval has a rare use of the Chinar gul on a juval. This good, strong green is found in early Beshire weavings. Note the atypical color use, e.g. zig-zag, not diagonal.

I missed the chance to buy its mate some years ago and jumped at this juval when it surfaced four months later. This striking piece contains all the best traits of Beshire work.

Warp: Brown wool, Z2S

Weft: Ivory and brown wool, Z2S, two shoots

Knot: Asymmetric, right, wool, horizontal 8, vertical 8, 64 per square inch, woven top side first

Colors: RED (2), dark blue, green, ivory, yellow, brown

Size: 3’7″x2’8″

Sides: Not original

Upper end: 1 1/2″ red kelim turned under

Lower end: None

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 2ft. 8in. by 4ft. (0.81 by 1.22m.)

DESCRIPTION

Circa 1880

Condition Note: original upper kilim end folded under and sewn, missing on sides and lower end, small reweaves, moth damage with some repiled


Ersari Beshir Chuval
Ersari Beshir Chuval

AN ERSARI BESHIR CHUVAL, SOUTH TURKESTAN,

MEASUREMENTS

Approximately 3ft. 2in. by 5ft. (0.97 by 1.52m.)

DESCRIPTION

Late 19th century

Original upper kilim end folded under and sewn, foldwear


Ersari Beshir Carpet
Ersari Beshir Carpet

Ersari Beshir Carpet

Ersari Beshir Turkmen Carpet South Turkestan circa 1875

South Turkestan circa 1875.

Warp: wool, Z2S, ivory/ash/oak brown twist.

Weft: wool, 2Z two shoots, ivory, light brown mix.

Pile: wool asymmetrical knot open to the right.

Density: 7-8H, 7-8V.

Sides: 3 cord of two warps each, overcast brown.

Ends: some blue kilim, (incomplete) followed by 1 inch red kilim, warp fringe.

Size: Approximately 12 ft. 7 in. by 5 ft. 8 in. (3 m. by 2.44m.)

Colors: cammium red, venetian red, china blue, cornflower blue, teal green, brown, ivory, maize, ginger, indigo, evergreen, goldenrod, pumpkin, citron, seal brown, black.


Cloudband Beshir rug, central Amu Darya area
Cloudband Beshir rug central Amu Darya area

Cloudband Beshir rug central Amu Darya area
Cloudband Beshir rug central Amu Darya area
Cloudband Beshir rug central Amu Darya area

Cloudband Beshir rug from the central Amu Darya area.

Whilst described frequently as a cloud-band design, it is unlikely, despite the cosmopolitan nature of Beshiri weaving, to be a rendition of this well-known Chinese design. Other theories include either a stylized dragon or what Konig describes as “flower calyxes shown in profile, possibly tulips” (Old Eastern Carpets). Although some of the ends of the “clouds” do appear to be heads or tails, this is more likely to be a flower, especially given the careful rendering of the stems in this example.

Particularly attractive is the use of colour change to delineate the compartments in the main border, and the changes which occur in the border design throughout the carpet. The border elements along the top and the lower third of the carpet are variants of the kejebe design. This is particularly unusual for this type of carpet.

See also the changes in the ground field-colour, from a brown-blue in the bottom quarter, to a dark-blue / light-blue combination in the middle half, to a blue-green combination in the top quarter. This is a possible indication of age (cf. Eiland and Pinner, Between the Black Desert and the Red, p.96), with more recent examples of this likely to have a solid field colour.

In addition to the variation in background field colour, the red used in the “clouds” and the field changes half way, from a glowing to a more subtle red.

(One of the charming features in this rug is the green, blue-green, gold, and blue field. Dr. Louw calls this a cloudband pattern and I can certainly see why but when I look I see flowers.)

An unusual addition is the little “man” in the top right hand section, next to the sixth border compartment (from the top down), to the right of the yellow star. Whilst clearly a weaving from the central Amu Darya area, this is unlikely to have been a workshop product, and appears more “tribal” than most extant examples.

(Small forms like this are not very common in Turkoman weaving and even less common in Central Asian workshop carpets. Another point that causes me to reflect is that this rug does not use outlining lines to separate color areas.)

Size: 1.2m x 2.55

Knot: asymmetrical open right,

Warp: two ply brown and gray wool twisted

Weft: two ply light brown wool

Selvage: Attached interlaced 3 cord selvage, wrapped in animal hair

End Finishes: red and blue stripped balanced plainweave.

Colors: 2 reds (cherry red, darker maroon red), brown, dark blue, medium blue, blue/green, light yellow

Age: Probably mid-19th century.


Ersari Beshir Carpet, circa 1880
Ersari Beshir Carpet circa 1880

Ersari Beshir Carpet circa 1880

Ersari Beshir Turkmen Carpet Central Turkestan circa 1880

Minor moth damage,

Approximately 7ft. 3in. by 6ft. 10in. (2.21 by 2.08m.)


Beshir kelleh, C. 1890

Beshir kelleh, C. 1890

Measurements: 315 by 162cm., 10ft. 4in. by 5ft. 4in.


Beshir torba circa 1880

Beshir torba circa 1880

MEASUREMENTS

158 by 46cm, 5ft. 3in. by 1ft. 6in.


Carpet by the Ersari Turkmen of Beshir mid 19th

Carpet by the Ersari Turkmen of Beshir mid 19th

9ft.7in. x 5ft.2in. 2.92m. x 1.58m