794. an impressive antique Afghan Ersari carpet

794. Provenance: Ersari tribe, Turkoman group, Northern Afghanistan

Size: 325 x 226 cm

Age: circa 1910

Condition: Evenly low pile. Two reweaves.

Notes: Despite beginning to show its high age, this is nevertheless a fine antique Ersari, with very appealing madder-rich autumnal colouring. At both ends the original kilims are still intact (though slightly messy), which is more often than not, not the case with such old pieces. This main carpet features twenty-one octagonal guls (medalions that give these carpets their trade name of filpai or 'elephant-foot') rather than the more usual eighteen. Woolen pile on all wool foundation.