Ersari rugs: Antique Kizil Ajak Double Niche Prayer Rug

Antique Kizil Ajak Double Niche Prayer Rug

A very rare and special Antique Turkmen rug. This rug is of a very unusual type of prayer rugs attributed to the Kizil Ajak. The Kizil Ajak are considered to be one of the identifiable component tribes of the old Ersari Confederation. The Kizil Ajak are one of the Turkmen tribes in Northern Afghanistan that was south of the Russian market influence in the 19th century and consequently have a distinctly different look.

I personally suspect that these rugs are part of a design continuum that dates back to at least the early part of the sixteenth century and that it springs from the same predecessors as the Turkish Prayer rugs that look so similar. There is a group of ornate prayer rugs in the Topkapi Palace collection some of which I believe are Central Asian of Turkic origins. Actually Timurid which is the same as saying Chagatai Turkic. As some point I will have to flesh out that theory

How We Select Our Rugs

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open right. 8 knots per horizontal inch and 10 knots per vertical inch. 80 per square inch (1240 per square decimeter). Medium depressed warps.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply wool, white or brown (thin, straight bristly wool like I see in Yomut but bright white).

Weft: 2 shots, 2 ply wool, red.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: Top - 5/8 inch weft faced plain weave with warp fringe and a twinned decorative band. Bottom - 1/4 inch weft faced plain weave with warp fringe

Selvages: overcast in brown wool most likely not original .

Further Notes: Excellent condition, dyes look vegetal.

Great rug, Great color, excellent condition. This rug is truly something special.

The colors are excellent.The dark wool is blue not black. There is a orange in the border that is remarkable. It is very different than the acid orange that we see in the chemical dye pieces of Northern Afghanistan. A really good natural orange is a sign of a special piece and that is what this one looks like.