549. An imposing antique Ersari Afghan Carpet

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

Age: Circa 1920

Size: 344 x 240 cm

Condition: Generally good, with just a few areas of lower pile.

Notes: A wonderful and understated Ersari 'elephant foot' gul allover repeat design. All natural dyes, chief amongst which is the warm embracing dark brown/red madder field. The clover-leaf-full guls are a delight, as is the abrush (natural variation in shade due to changes in dye batches and varied density of hand-spun wool) breaking any possible monotony in the field. Good even weave. Glossy handspun woolen pile on all-wool foundation.