19th Century Beshir Long Carpet

Woven by the Beshir tribe of Turkmenistan in Central Asia, Beshir rugs are celebrated for their distinctive weaving style. In a region where neighboring tribes are known for carpets featuring the characteristic ‘elephant foot’ motif and deep shades of blue and red, Beshir pieces stand apart with their unique aesthetic sensibility and more diverse array of patterns. 

 This circa 1870 example’s most attractive and most unusual feature is arguably its wide border, which employs a stamped graphic motif in tones of terracotta, cornflower blue and ivory against a muted blue-grey field. Being an earlier piece, this carpet boasts a masterfully tight weave, lending a crisp clarity to the design. The uniformity of colour across the field and border gives the work a feeling of space and balance, despite the complexity of its patterning. Retained in very good condition for everyday use – remarkable for a piece of this considerable age. Its vegetable dyes have taken on a fine patina with age, which engenders a warm and earthy quality in its colours. 

A sophisticated tribal example, at once understated and rich, which would blend in in a variety of settings.