Skip to product information
Old Turkmen Tekke Runner c. 1980
311 x 89 cm
Sale price
£300.00
Regular price
£346.00
Produced in Kunduz, Northern Afghanistan
100% Ghazni Highlands Wool
Hand-Knotted
FREE delivery
30-day returns
Environmentally sustainable
Durable, washable, repairable
Product Description
This is an old (circa 1980) authentic Tekke runner, handmade in Afghanistan.
Authentic Tekke rugs are highly sought after by collectors for their historical value and rarity, as they represent one of the most recognizable styles within the broader Central Asian rugs industry. Unfortunately Turkmen rugs are not often exported from Turkmenistan, so it is extremely difficult to find brand new Turkmen rugs. These rugs are re-makes of traditional Turkmen rugs, woven in Afghanistan while strictly adhering to the original quality, by Turkmen and Uzbek weavers.
The most recognizable feature of Tekke rugs is the Tekke gul, a large octagonal medallion repeated across the field of the carpet. This motif has influenced the design a wide range of rugs including Aqcha, Ersari, Bokhara and Mawri Gul rugs. They are woven using the symmetrical Persian (Senneh) knot, with a dense thick pile despite having a fine design. These Afghan versions of Tekke rugs are woven using fine Merino wool, giving a soft thick pile compared to regular wool.
These traditional rugs originate from the nomadic Tekke tribe in the area of present day Ashgabat and Mary, Turkmenistan. They were originally woven for practical uses such as decoration and reinforcing for yurts, for floors of yurts (halis), storage bags (chuvals), and prayer rugs (namazliks).
Materials + Care
The pile of this rug is constructed of hand-spun Ghazni wool, and the weft and warp foundation are also constructed of wool. The dyes used are all 100% natural vegetable dyes, derived from plant, fruit and flower skins such as madder root, indigo, pomegranate skin and walnut shells.
Non-Straight Edges: Some rugs may not have completely straight edges due the handmade-nature of the rugs and rigorous production process of washing, dyeing and trimming. Usually these are not noticeable from eye-height.
Creases: Some rugs may have minor creases due to being folded and stored. These are usually flattened out once they are laid out and in the course of normal foot traffic and vacuuming. You can also flatten creases by applying some water to the crease and applying gentle heat using an iron, indirectly over another cloth.
Colour: The colours and shades may vary slightly due to the lighting when photos are taken. This means that the carpet you receive may look slightly different from the picture. Additionally, carpets naturally have a "light" side and a "dark" side, which is determined by the orientation of the wool pile. This is a characteristic of carpets and should be taken into consideration when choosing a carpet for your space.
Delivery and Returns
Deliveries within the UK are FREE. We endeavour to dispatch orders the same day (if ordered before 12 pm) or the next working day. We deliver all our rugs within mainland UK on a 2-3 working day, tracked service with Royal Mail.
If you're unhappy with your rug, we will happily offer a refund (excluding postage) within 30 days for mainland UK customers, allowing you to shop with confidence and ease. simply contact us and we will guide you through the process.