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Türkmen Haly Niyazi (türkmenje)

Rugs and Carpets

Classifications and Definitions by:

"ASHGABAT RUG PLANT"

Carpet-weaving is one of the most ancient forms of Turkmen applied art. Each woman was taught this iraditional art from the early age.
The magical beauty and longevity of Turkmen rugs come from the traditions of carpet-weaving, that reached high perfectness and artistic expressiveness of gel during the many centuries of its existense.
It's hard to say when the Turkmen people began to weave their first rugs, too hard. We may just suppose that they weave them from the very ancient time.

Pile carpet-weaving is. a complicated and long process. Just skilis in accordance with rare artistic talent based on the ancient traditions make possible tlýe creating of infinitely compticated and varied carpet patterns using the most primitive means of production.
Carpet-weaver creates the whole composition and ornamentation of the rug only by means of her 'imagination and memory, combining patterns in a new interpretation. That's why the creative activity prevail in production of rugs.

The chief role in Turkmen rugs is played by ornamentation with its general components - main and supplementary "gels". The origin of ornamental carpet designs has realistic basis. Just reality was reflected in the carpet design: surrounding nature, tife and habits of Turkmen peopie. The weavers reflect their feelings and dreams, joy and grief, their hopes and wishes. If you look more attentive you'll see the history of origin of Turkmen people, tribe, region and nature of the weaver. Besides, the gels express heroism, courage arýd devotion to the Motherland.

The gels of ancient tribes are kept in modern Turkmen rugs. Thanks to the Salor and Choudour rugs we have now the tribe gels of old Turkmen tribes that played the leading role in Turkmenia oF XI-XIV centuries. The Salor tribes are still consider to be initiators of Turkmen carpet-weaving. And in the end of the XIX century, when the Salors practically stop the carpet-weaving, Saryk and Tekke rugs with the very popular "Salor-gel" design appear on trade markets. The nature gave to Turkmens all necessary to make their carpets fine and durable.

The yarn for the production of rugs is gotten from the wool of Sarajin sheep. Having absorbed the heat and cold, dyes and perfumes oF the environment, this wool is in accordance with the world standards.
The yarn was dyed by the vegetable dye-stuff, strictly in accordance with traditions. The natural dye-stuffs were used till the quarter of XIX century. And since the end of XIX century the synthetic aniline dyes became wide-spread.

The cotoring of Turkmen rugs is refined and reserved. The main color is red, begining from the bright holiday color and till the dark cherry and brown colors. IYs complemented by pieces of yellow, dark green, blue, dark blue and white colors. The center is framed by dark blue, dark brown and sometimes black colors. The white details of a gel accord with the whole coloring because of the natural color of the wool - warm brown color. The surface of rug is remarkable by the depth of a color, velvety and light twinkling. This twinkling is intensified of prolong using.
Modern classification divides the Turkmen rugs into three groups:
These are:

   I. Teke rugs, Akhal-Teke rugs, Pendi rugs.
   II. Yomut rugs, Choudour rugs.
   III, Beshir rugţ, Kerki rugs, Kizylayak rugs.

All these groups are differed from each other by decorations, patterns, coloring, density and height of a pile. In turn, each group unites the rugs ot various designs which have their own beauty.

The main merit of Turkmen rug is density, provided by skills of the carpet-weavers. They could tie from 180 to 400 knots to a square meter.
There's one merit else: its dyes become more fine and the rug turns into a real masterpiece of art. By its technical fulfilment and aesthetic contents, the Turkmen rug may be concern to antiquariate.

Nevertheless, our main wealth - the Turkmen : women to whom a big role in revival of the Turkmen rug's fame belongs. Their hands create ihe real masterpieces of art, preserving and multiplicating tradititions of the ancient handicraft. They pass these traditions and secrets of ornamentation and dyes from one generation to another.

The fame of beauty and high quality of Turkmen rugs is known in tens of countries of all continents of our planet. This can be confirmed by numerous international awards at the International Exhibitions and Fairs in Paris and Montreal, Leipzig and Brussels. Among them - a Grand Prix, eight gold and one bronze medal.