Tribal Heritage and Knotting Tradition

The Ersari are one of the ten major Turkmen tribes of Central Asia, settled in the steppe between Merv in the west, Mazar-i-Sharif in the southeast and Bukhara in the north. Their settlement area spans Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Bukhara was historically the principal trading hub for Turkmen rugs, which is why pieces from across the region were often grouped as “Bukhara rugs” — although the construction and knot density differ markedly from tribe to tribe.

This piece was hand-knotted in the borderland of northern Afghanistan between 1950 and 1970. It carries the signature Ersari grammar: oversized Güls in rhythmic rows across the field, framed by wide multiple borders — star rosettes, meander bands and floral guard stripes — that are disproportionately generous compared to the inner field. A characteristic feature of this rug is the integral kilim flatweave border at one short end, adding approximately 30 cm and continuing the design tradition of Turkmen tribal weaving.

Colour and Composition

The field reads in a deep, saturated rust-red and wine-red ground — the rich, glowing red that distinguishes the best Afghan Ersari work — carrying rows of oversized Güls in deep indigo-blue, black-brown and warm orange-salmon, with small filler motifs between the medallions. The wide multiple borders frame the field with eight-pointed star rosettes and meander bands. The colour comes from natural and madder-based dyes, and the dense, lustrous wool gives the surface a deep, almost lacquered glow.

Presence in the Room

At 500 × 340 cm total (16.0 m² knotted area plus kilim border, 17.0 m² overall) this is a true palatial format. Three contexts in which the Ersari reaches its full effect:

• Grand living room: anchoring a large sofa group, the deep rust-red palette adds warmth and craft to interiors built around natural materials — wood, leather, linen.
• Stately dining hall: under a long table for ten to fourteen, the rhythmic Gül rows read as a measured, architectural pattern from above.
• Library or reception room: the kilim border functions as a natural transition zone between the rug and the room — a quietly characterful detail in stately interiors.

A Collector Piece

Genuine mid-century Ersari rugs in this palatial size, with full pile and undimmed natural colour, have become increasingly hard to find. As a rare, hand-knotted tribal piece in very good condition, with its characteristic integral kilim border intact, this is a true collector piece — supplied with a certificate of authenticity.

Specifications

Responsible Sourcing · Label STEP

Djoharian is a Label STEP certified dealer for fair-trade knotted rugs — a commitment to dignified working conditions and against child labour in rug production. Visit the Label STEP entry for Djoharian Teppiche →

Djoharian — Since 1967

With roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran and more than five decades of experience in the international rug trade, Djoharian has specialised in antique, tribal and designer rugs since 1967. On 1stDibs we have been a verified seller since 2013 with 5.0/5 stars across 18 reviews and the “Recognized Dealer” badge. Our pieces have been featured in international film productions, including Spencer (2021) with Kristen Stewart.

Service and Delivery

Every piece in the Djoharian Collection is expertly inspected in our atelier in Lohr am Main, professionally washed and shipped with a certificate of authenticity. We offer secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured, and personal consultation in our showroom or by video call.