Since ancient times, hand-made carpets in Turkmen life have been of great importance. These products "participated" in prayers, gave solemnity to family gatherings, replaced dressers. Turkmen carpets were used to warm the home, while being their decoration.
National treasure
In Turkmenistan, these items are truly a national treasure. Handmade Turkmen carpets are an indispensable part of the spiritual and material component of culture. Elements used in the creation of carpets are repeated in national symbols. When creating the country's architectural masterpieces, similar techniques were involved.
Turkmen carpets are the embodiment of the soul, culture and art of the people. That is why the nation attaches such importance to these products. The carpet ornament is able to tell not only about the region in which it was created, but also how it was made by a master. The carpet will tell the uninitiated about the customs, symbolism of the people, about the inhabitants of the region and the nature of Turkmenistan. Any carpet, wherever it is produced, has its own "soul", its "face" is different from other similar ones.
Even today, a quality carpet complements the design of the house, giving comfort. The quality of the product speaks of the wealth of the family. Thermal insulation properties allow saving on heating.
They create carpets in many countries, but Turkmenistan has become one of the few where this craft has become famous throughout the world. Turkmen carpet, the price of which is quite high (about 100 thousand rubles), is an international brand. Customers are delighted with the goods, and at various exhibitions they take prizes.
Story
It is generally accepted that carpet ornaments completely repeat patterns on ceramics dated to the 4th millennium BC. The oldest carpet, preserved to date, was made in the 5th century BC. e. Scientists have established its belonging to the Pazir culture. At a later time, these products were exported to other countries, where they received the name Parthian, Bukhara and Persian.
In ancient times, Turkmen carpets were made for a variety of domestic needs. They were used as insulation for yurts, door curtains, and bags.
The first carpets were made of pure wool, they were decorated with a geometric ornament, which was slightly different in different tribes. A good carpet was a symbol of wealth and power.
Handmade Turkmen carpets, the price of which was incredibly high, were very much appreciated, including by emperors. Later, written evidence of the demand for products appeared. The first such mention dates back to 900 years. The world famous traveler Marco Polo admired the carpets, mentioning that it is difficult to find finer and more beautiful ones.
In the 19th century, Turkmen carpets began to be delivered to exhibitions in the USA, Russia and European countries. Connoisseurs of contemporary art appreciate these patterns.
For a long time, the fame of Turkmen carpets has been around the world, where they are valued to this day.
Kinds
In many countries, these products are known as Bukhara. This happens for the reason that they were initially distributed in the bazaars of Bukhara.
The canvases made on the vast territory where the Turkmen lived are classified as Turkmen carpets. This territory consists of Turkmenistan, Balochistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan. Today, this group includes products tekke, tekin, salor, yomut and others.
- Tekke. This name is derived from one of the nationalities - tekke. The Turkmen Tekin carpet is characterized by a common detail - gel, divided into four parts.
- Yomut. This group of carpets is made in a tribe with this name. In this group, a large number of different ornaments and styles are permissible. One of the types is diagonal rows of multi-colored octagons. On the border depicts latches and hooks. On the second variety, octagons are arranged vertically, animals with two heads are inscribed in them.
- Salor. Made by a tribe of Salors. This nation is the oldest in Turkmenistan. This style is characterized by dividing the medallion into 4 parts. Animal figures are located on each section of the medallion.
- Ersari. As it is not difficult to understand, their tribe Ersari produces. This nationality did not create its own pattern, therefore, medallions on their carpets are not found. The ornament consists of plant and figured elements taken from other cultures.
In addition to the traditional ones, you can find products with portraits or various subjects. Special mats are created for prayers.
Materials
Mostly for the manufacture of carpets use the fleece of the best sheep. The quality of the wool is determined by its color, uniformity, which is important for proper dyeing. Sometimes silk or cotton is used as the basis.
Weaving
The most commonly used asymmetric Persian node, however, some peoples use the Turkish symmetrical node. Turkmen carpets are distinguished from other canvases by a repeating pattern and strips of stylized drawings on the front sides.
Colors
In the manufacture of most of the carpets, burgundy threads are used, of which the background consists. In the design of the ornament, black, orange, green and blue tones are preferred. With the help of black threads, which are a symbol of the element of water, ornaments are framed.
Dyes
Until the 19th century, strictly natural dyes were used, but in the last century they were replaced by cheaper chemical dyes. For all their popularity, this has led to a deterioration in the quality of carpets. However, the progress of technology has made it possible to obtain modern dyes that are as close to natural as possible. Currently, chemical dyes are most often used.
Ornaments
Art historians are sure that the ornament of carpets preserves the entire history of the nation. Any symbol has its own meaning, and gel - a bouquet of symbols. Any individual group of peoples has developed its own gel.
Handmade Turkmen carpets still keep traces of history and religious movements existing in the country.
The people of Turkmenistan have been engaged in carpet weaving for more than one millennium, which could not but leave an imprint on the character of its representatives. The production of one carpet takes a lot of time, requires a lot of attention and patience. Despite the fairly uniform appearance, focus and excellent memory are required for their manufacture. Even religious figures wove carpets, as this process taught patience and tempered the spirit, which is necessary for the afterlife.
Each product is created by investing incredible labor. The colossal industriousness of the people provides the country with a golden age. Researchers in the East say that every day, several tens of thousands of times need to be carried out with a heavy comb of iron, putting in order wool and thread. Such work is beyond the power of every strongman, and in Turkmenistan it is the lot of women. In addition to labor, women invest a maximum of feelings, hopes, ideas in carpets. If you translate the amount of energy spent on creating the carpet into units, it turns out that each product is created by the energy of three hundred horses. So much energy is required to illuminate a small town for 8 hours.
Reviews
Despite the fact that today consumers try to avoid placing carpets in their homes, it is the Turkmen handmade carpet that remains a symbol of comfort, prosperity and good taste. Despite the cost of carpets, today they have a huge number of fans. These people admire the extraordinary patterns and excellent quality of products. They are ready to pay big money for the unique creations of human hands. According to reviews, these products are practical, beautiful and have high wear resistance.