Ersari Kizil Ajak Rugs

Guide to Ersari Kizil Ajak Rugs & Carpets

Examples:

Kizilayak Carpet
Kizilayak Carpet

Title: A Kizilayak Carpet

Origin: Central Asia, Amu Darja Region, ca. 1850

Size: approx. 260 x 210 cm

Notes on Condition – Literature References

Ends slightly reduced, sides rewoven, minor wear


Kizilayak Juval, late 19th century
Kizilayak Juval late 19th

MEASUREMENTS

  1. 93 x 138 cm

A large nine Gül Tschowal of the Kizilayak Turkmenen with light red field, chemche secondary güls and interesting Kotschak motives as border design. The Elem is decorated with house-like Giebel design. – Sides and upper conclusion, down remainders of the Kelim again back tapes received. Light wear.


Kizil-Ajak main carpet, Amu-Darya-Area, last quarter 19th century
Kizil-Ajak main carpet, Amu-Darya-Area, last quarter 19th century

Title A Kizil-Ajak main carpet, AMU-DARYA-AREA, last quarter 19th century, slight losses to pile.

Size 307 x 230 cm


Kizil-Ajak Tauk Nuska carpet
Kizil-Ajak Tauk Nuska carpet

Title A Kizil-Ajak main carpet, AMU-DARYA-AREA, 19th ct., losses to pile, resto.

Size 220 x 148 cm


Kizil-Ajak carpet, Amu-Dary-Area, circa 1900
Kizil-Ajak carpet Amu-Dary-Area circa 1900

Title A Kizil-Ajak carpet, AMU-DARY-AREA, ca. 1900, slight losses to pile.

Size 310 x 253 cm


Antique Kizil Ajak Rug
Antique Kizil Ajak Rug
Antique Kizil Ajak Rug

Antique Kizil Ajak Rug

Size: 3 foot 8 inch by 6 foot 7 inch

This is an Antique Kizil Ajak Rug. Let me explain how I came to that attribution since this one is not as obviously Kizil Ajak as some rugs I have handled. The knot is an asymmetrical knot open to the right with a ribbed back. That with a knot count of under 130 (8 by 7) says Ersari Turkmen group. Then to go past a simple Ersari attribution we need to go to design. The field element is a turreted gul so the person I bought this from marked it Saryk. On a structural basis we must reject that especially since field elements rarely tell us anything. So we go to borders. Here we see an important identifier the white dot border is not common in Afghan Turkmen but this rug has two variations of the white dot minor borders and both of them are seen in Kizil Ajak rugs. As a side note this rug has the Badam Gulli gul minor border which say to me it must be from south of the Amu Darya. So at that point I asked are there any other clues to attribution that I could see. It was at that point I noticed the use of a good clear color fast yellow in the rug. So on the basis of these points the rug became obviously Kizil Ajak.

Atrribution: Kizil Ajak versus Ersari

The Kizil Ajak were a sub or component tribe of the Ersari. I have been working on a theory for several years about the Ersari and where they fit into the Turkmen Hierarchy. With the help of a friend I have finally come to the conclusion that Ersari and Azeri are different spellings of the same world. That as such the Ersari is the direct political heirs of the Oghuz Turks or that actually the Ersari are the Oghuz or Azeri as I have theorized. The Turkomen who came out of Central Asia into Persia and the Ottoman Empire were Oghuz and now their descendents speak a dialect of Northern or Southern Azeribaijani.

Kizil Ajak Rug. Turkestan or Afghanistan, Circa 1900. Inventory # 564, Size: 3 foot 8 inch by 6 foot 7 inch

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the right. 8 knots per horizontal inch and 7 knots per vertical inch. 56 per square inch (868 per square decimeter)

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply hair.

Weft: 2 shot brown hair.

Pile: 2 cotton singles.

Ends: Incomplete, Flat weave Folded (top), stabilized warp (bottom).

Selvages: 2 weft units wrapped with brown wool.

Handle: Medium handle.

Further Notes: Good condition and the selvages need to be rewrapped in places. A small note about the dyes – all the dyes look natural there is a good clear yellow and piece much older than this use a yellow that looks the same. I have seen it noted that Uzbek cultivated weld which is a natural good yellow and I assume that Kizil Ajak had weld or something very similar.

The white dot boarders and the use of yellow points to an attribution of Kizil Ajak. The guard border with the small botehs are a prime identifier of rugs from Afghanistan.


Antique Kizil Ajak Double Niche Prayer Rug
Antique Kizil Ajak Double Niche Prayer Rug
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

Antique Kizil Ajak Rug. Afghanistan, 19th century. 3 foot 5 inch by 6 foot 4 inch.

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.


Early 20th century Kizil Ajak Rug
Early 20th century Kizil Ajak Rug
Early 20th century Kizil Ajak Rug

Kizil Ajak Rug

This striking rug is of a type attributed to the village of Kizil Ajak in Northern Afghanistan. The weavers are Turkmen and as such they are a subject of controversy. Some suggest that the Kizil Ajak are a separate tribe and other experts suggest that they are part of the Ersari. I do not believe that the two are mutually exclusive. The Ersari are not a tribe but rather a combination of tribes or more properly a confederation that has collapsed losing its political cohesion. The confederation then begins to fall apart to its component tribes. The confusion as to whether the Kizil Ajak are a people or a village is symptomatic of Euro-centric misunderstanding of the relationship between people and land in Central Asia.

Kizil Ajak Rug, Northern Afghanistan, old/antique 86 in. by 44 in. Not including fringe.

Structure: Asymmetrical Knotting, open right, 7 knots per horizontal Knotting, 9 knots per vertical Knotting, 63 per square inch, (946 per square decimeter) moderate warp depression.

Yarn Spin: Z

Warp: 2 ply wool, tan.

Weft: 2 ply red or brown wool 2 shots.

Pile: 2 wool singles.

Selvages: plain overwrapped with brown wool.

Ends: 1/2 inch warp faced plain weave.

The key to attribution in this piece is the border. Above we see the characteristic Kizil Ajak border. This piece has some moth damage and has had some repiling of the white wool. This rug represents a very rare type of Turkmen weaving.


A Very Odd Kizil Ajak Turkmen Rug
A Very Odd Kizil Ajak Turkmen Rug

A Very Odd Kizil Ajak Turkmen Rug

Unusual Afghan Turkmen Type Rug

The person I got this rug from asked me what I wanted to call it since he didn’t know what it was. It is Northern Afghan. As far as just what weaving group or city I am unsure but as a guess I would say Kunduz.

As far as the design I am at a loss to explain this one. It appears to have a fence and gate but that is just a guess. This piece could even be a Russian Turkmen and the red thing the monument to the W.W.II war dead in Tashkent, who knows. It also looks like the Sheraton up the road from Langley Va. So really all I can say for sure is that it is a nice little rug that I like.

Kizil Ajak. Afghanistan, 20th century. 30 inch by 40 in.

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open right. 7.5 knots per horizontal inch and 16 knots per vertical inch. 120 per square inch (1860 per square decimeter). Flat back.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply wool.

Weft: 2 ply Cotton 1 shot.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: 1 1/2 inch plain weave with band of twinning, warp fringe.

Selvages: Overcast with brown wool.

Further Notes: Reduced on one end and some tip fading. This rug is older than it looks at first glance.

This design looks like a fence and gate to me.

Kizil Ajak Attribution.

Now that I look at this odd little rug after several years I think it is most likely Kizil Ajak . It appears Turkmen, the knot is asymmetric open right and border seems related to older Kizil Ajak rugs. It has 7.5 knots per horizontal inch and 16 knots per vertical inch for 120 per square inch. The Kizil Ajak are the most adventurous weavers of all the Turkmen.


New Afghan Turkmen Kizil Ajak Rug
New Afghan Turkmen Kizil Ajak Rug

4 by 6 Kizil Ajak Carpet

The Kizil Ajak are one of the prominent component tribes of the Ersari Confederation. I went along for ages without seeing one of these and then suddenly I find 4. This is a really well made carpet that will give years of use.

New Kizil Ajak Turkmen Rug. Afghanistan, Late 20th century. 4 foot by 6 foot 3 inch.

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open right. 11 knots per horizontal inch and 9 knots per vertical inch. 99 per square inch (1480 per square decimeter). moderately depressed.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply wool, gray.

Weft: 2 shots dark cotton.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: 1 1/2 inch warp faced plain weave, warp fringe.

Selvages: 5 cord selvage wrapped in black wool.

Further Notes: New rug, very meaty handle, great wool.

New Kizil Ajak

This is a bold dramatic rug with incredible color. The main field red is dark red and the bright shading gives brilliant contrast.

The dark color wool is Indigo blue not black.


Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug
Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug
Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug

Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug

Size: 3 foot 10 inch by 6 foot 10 inch.

This is a wonderful Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug from northern Afghanistan. Turkmen weavers do not make many prayer rugs but the Kizil Ajak are the exception. This rug has good age and great color.

This is a handmade Kizil Ajak Prayer Rug. The dyes are good. It dates to the early 20th century.

Size: 3 foot 10 inch by 6 foot 10 inch.

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the right. 7 knots per horizontal inch and 8 knots per vertical inch. 56 per square inch (868 per square decimeter).

Color: Raspberry, navy blue, old ivory, brown, yellow, onyx.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply gray wool.

Weft: 2 shot brick red wool.

Pile: 2 wool singles.

Ends: Countered binding with .5 inch warp fringe.

Selvages: 2 cord overcasting brick red wool.

Further Notes: Good condition, damaged corners, ends, selvage.


Kizilayak Ensi
Kizilayak Ensi

Title: A Kizilayak Ensi

Origin: Central Asia, Amu Darja Region, late 19th century

Size: approx. 193 x 144 cm

Notes on Condition – Literature References

Complete, with original ends and sides. Some foldwear with low pile. Minor traces of wear.


Kizilayak Ensi Jourdan
Kizilayak Ensi Jourdan

Origin: Central Asia, Amu Darja Region, late 19th century

Size: approx. 193 x 144 cm

Notes on Condition – Literature References

Complete, with original ends and sides. Some foldwear with low pile. Minor traces of wear.


 Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
 Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi
Kiyzl Ajak Engsi

Size: 194cm (H) x 152cm (W) / 6’4″(H) x 5’0(W)

Region: Central Asia Turkmen Kizil Ayak

Item Type: Rugs and Carpets Ensi

Period / Date: 19th century third quarter (1850 – 1874)

Materials: wool, goat, and camel

Structure / Technique: pile, asymmetric knot open right

Condition: Good

Comments On Condition: though the pile is a bit uneven this engsi is totally complete

Full Description: if “Ersari” means conglomerate then this engsi might be one. Certainly it is Kizyl Ajak but it also has elements of the Saryk and Uzbeks. The main border is compartmentalized with separator bars much like a Tekke. In this case 16 different designs are employed with additional variants.


Kizilayak Ensi, 2nd half 19th century
Kizilayak Ensi 2nd half 19th century

Description: KIZILAYAK ENSI

Origin: Central Asia, West Turkestan, 2nd h. 19th century

Size: ca. 161 x 128 cm

Notes on Condition

Ends rewoven, sides restored. Several rewoven areas throughout.


Kizil Ayak Juval

Kizil Ayak Juval

Slight even wear overall, small loss to top elem.


Small Saryk Torba with Wide Border
Small Saryk Torba with Wide Border

Most likely a Saryk from the Pendeh oasis.