Vintage wool rug · Turkmen · Burgundy & navy

Large vintage rug, hand-knotted by skilled weavers in northern Afghanistan using premium highland wool and quality dyes. Rows of distinctive Turkmen Beshir alma guls - meaning 'apple', a sign of nature's bounty and the cycle of life - fill the field, each gul containing stylised floral motifs and geometric elements in navy blue against a rich burgundy ground, framed by a wide border with multiple guard stripes and reciprocal patterns. The rug displays intact medium pile with the charachteristic Afghan sheen, and expert edge finishing reflecting generations of technical mastery.

The Craft. Turkmen weavers are renowned for creating extraordinarily tight weaves with very high knot density, using premium hand-carded and hand-spun wool that produces the characteristically silky, lustrous finish for which Turkmen carpets are celebrated. Their traditional techniques achieve mathematical precision in rendering distinctive gul medallions with remarkable symmetry and consistency. Turkmen rugs typically feature a medium pile height, which allows the vibrant colours, particularly the signature crimson red, to achieve their full depth and luminosity while maintaining the crisp definition of the intricate gul patterns.

The Heritage. The beginnings of carpet making in Afghanistan are lost in history, as this country's strategic location on the ancient Silk Road attracted numerous nomadic tribes, and caught the eye of many an empire. Despite decades of upheaval, Afghan artisans have maintained their commitment to this treasured tradition, which has served as both cultural preservation and vital livelihood. The craft reflects the country's ethnic diversity, with hundreds of tribes and clans, from the Turkmen Tekke and Ersari to the Baluch Rukhshani and Aimaq, contributing their ancient motifs and mastery to what has become known today as the Afghan rug - one that tells a story of resilience, artistry, and the enduring spirit of the Afghan people.

The Maker. This vintage piece was created by Turkmen weavers in northern Afghanistan (Kunduz). The Turkmen tribes, renowned for their sophisticated geometric sensibilities and masterful use of traditional gul motifs, created carpets that served as both practical furnishings and symbols of tribal identity for nomadic families.