Saddle Cover from Turkmenistan

This saddle cover from Turkmenistan is a superb example of Teke tribe work probably done by children or women.

The knotting is very fine. The tassels are of silk and are worn with some missing.

The colours are muted dark reds with black and golden yellow. There is a slit at the front to place over the saddle.

The designs are based on flowers, yurts, mosques, but it does not have the horse’s head or wave design that is so typical of the Teke tribal carpets. A very old and fine piece.

22” (56 cm) x 14” (35.5 cm)

Purchased Turkmen Gallery, London 1998 £195 for private collection