Salor Chuval

Salor Chuval
129 x 78 cm (4' 3" x 2' 7")
Turkmenistan, early 19th century
Condition: very good according to age, good pile, partially corroded silk, both sides slightly incomplete and rebound, minor small repairs
Warp: wool, weft: wool, pile: wool with silk highlights

With approximately seventy examples known of this classic Salor chuval design, this weaving type helps to show the longevity and conservative nature of the Salor weaving tradition by virtue of the very slim pool of variations seen in the design.
The secondary box star guls sometimes have hooks and small design anomalies but here the subtle change of color and materials, the most fundamental creative tools available to the weaver, produces change in the rhythm and color tone.
The same technique is used in highlighting the small diamonds between the opposing hooks in the horizontal turrets of the guls, creating a sense of visual tension. The elem with a row of single trees with small amulets is arguably the most attractive of all used on Salor chuvals and provides a quick guide to all of the dyes used in the tent bag.
In many examples there is so much silk used that it can dominate the composition but arguably the use of silk to create highlights and subtle changes in colour and texture is the most successful deployment of the luxury material in this type of weaving, emphasizing the subtle artistry of the best Salor weavers.

Estimate: € 30000 - 40000