Ersari Rugs: Cloudband Beshir rug central Amu Darya area

Cloudband Beshir rug 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.

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.

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

Age: Probably mid-19th century.