An Ersari Beshir Prayer Rug, South Turkestan

Lefevre catalogue, London, 2^nd April 1976, Lot 1 
Kaffel, Ralph, Beshir Prayer rugs (article), HALI issue 151, pg.74.

Pile variable and low in the walnut ground, especially within the central mihrab. There are areas down to the foundation in the upper right hand section of mihrab. Some localised re-piling in restored fold wear line in left hand ivory strip, third plant left from the bottom. Some tiny restorations, scattered spot areas of repiling. There is an irregularly shaped patch approximately 4 by 6cm., in the upper right hand side red spandrel. Sidecords with losses and some loose threads with some old restoration to warp fringing. Losses to both ends, which are overlocked.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The design of  Beshir prayer rugs is usually dominated by an ivory mihrab which typically frames an inner mihrab, often decorated with a profusion of flowering shrubs and plants. This Beshir prayer rug is particularly rare due to its ‘unique scalloped outer arch’ twinned with the unusual ‘rosettes in the inner mihrab and spandrels’. See Kaffel, Ralph, ‘Beshir Prayer Rugs’, HALI, issue 151, pg. 82. The inner mihrab is also notable for its split into a highly ornate double hook (kochack) or ram’s horn. The outer mihrab, similarly to most Beshir prayer rugs, is decorated with a stylised pomegranate motif, pointing to strong East Turkestan influences. Due to its design Ralph Kaffel classifies the rug as type 3-D.

Beshir prayer rugs are recognized for possessing a richer palette than any other group of Turkoman rugs. Werner Loges makes specific reference to the distinctive yellow, labelling it ‘Beshir yellow’, made from a mixture of saffron, safflower (dyer’s weld), isparak and occasionally pomegranate peel’. Loges, Werner, Turkoman Tribal Rugs, Humanities Press, Atlantic Highlands, N.J., 1980, pg. 91. In this Beshir prayer rug the deep red field, combined with the ivory outer mihrab and dashes of bold Beshir yellow, accenting the outer border and inner mihrab, create a striking silhouette.

Beshir prayer rugs began to command a high price at auction when in 1978 a Beshir prayer rug, which featured on the cover of Sotheby’s New York catalogue, estimated at $4,000-5,000, sold for $22,000 and later went on to be shown by Eberhart Herrmann in his 1985 Munich exhibition ‘Rare Rugs of the Turkomen’. Few of these rugs have survived, and the unique qualities of this piece make it a desirable example.