Antique Tekke carpets are one of the few groups of antique carpets that always seem to be in demand. Early examples which date before around 1850 are always sought after by Turkoman collectors, while the best ones woven after that date often have great decorative appeal. This carpet falls comfortably into the second category. Finely knotted with exceptional quality wool, the field design is composed of five rows of twelve Tekke guls and secondary gurbaghe guls. The field is dominated by a warm madder red with the use of ivory and navy blue in the details. The border is equally elegant, the so-called sunburst motif combining with other typical Tekke ornaments. Note also the skirts at each end. The limited palette and repeating ornamentation of the design make the composition very easy on the eye. Note too the excellent size which with the additional width makes it a very useful carpet for many room-size situations. Cherished through the generations, this carpet has survived in excellent...