Lot 373 AN ANTIQUE TURKMEN YOMUD ASMALYK (CEREMONIAL CAMEL TRAPPING)
Up for auction is a choice rarity of Central Asian textile art: An antique Yomud Asmalyk from Turkmenistan, masterfully hand-knotted around 1900. These striking, five-sided ceremonial trappings were traditionally crafted in pairs by the women of the Yomud tribe to decorate the flanks of the bridal camel during the festive wedding procession. The inner field of this specimen features a flawless, highly sought-after diamond lattice design. The diamond-shaped fields are filled with the iconic, sharply serrated Ashik motifs, whose graphic impact is fully realized through the crisp contrast between radiant ivory, deep indigo blue, madder red, and the tribe's characteristic mahogany tone. The monumental pattern is framed by a delicate running dog/wave border and protective symbols along the sides. The textile artwork is in a remarkably good state of preservation with very beautiful, even pile and structural integrity. A historically documented collector's item, perfectly suited as a prestigious art object for wall mounting. • Condition: Good condition (excellently preserved, authentic collector's condition with a firm handle). • Dimensions (Metric): 120 by 75 cm.