A Tekke carpet, West Turkestan

Overall measurements: 227cm across the top, 213cm across the bottom, 264cm along left side, 259cm along right side Pile generally low with knot heads visible and some spot foundation, some later repiling in the teal blue (visible as a bright blue-green, old faded reweaves on right hand edge. Lovely wool, very fine weave with floppy, flexible handle, good liver red (almost purple) ground colour. (Illustration in catalogue is too warm).
"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."

An early example of a Tekke main carpet, the liver red of the field and the well spaced and rounded main guls are noteworthy.  See Ed. Mackie, L. and Thompson, J., Turkmen Tribal Carpets and Traditions, U.S.A, 1980, pp. 96 - 101, pl.28 for a related early example with five rows of ten guls, dated to the early 19th century. The cited example has secondary guls mainly associated with the Salor tribe and in the present example they are similar to the Yomut archetypal gul. A carpet with five rows of ten guls, similar use of grid in the field and octagonal motif border was sold Sotheby's, New York, 3 March 2009, lot 35. For comprehensive discussion on Tekke weavings, see Mackie and Thompson, op cit, pp.96-118.  As in the case of Lots 22 and 23 in this sale, it is conceivable that the border design and the origins of the gul were inspired from works of the Safavid Persian courts, see border examples with open repeat palmette design such as Sotheby's, New York, 5 June 2013, lot 6, and Lot 104 in this sale.