Type Characteristics. Colours, principally dark red, with minor quantities of blue, pink or orange, and ivory. Knot, Sehna. Knots to inch horizontally eight to twelve; perpendicularly, sixteen to twenty-four. The rows of knots are firmly pressed down, so that the warp is concealed at back and the weft is almost hidden. Warp, fine white wool; each of the two threads encircled by a knot is equally prominent at back. Weft, wool, of fine diameter. A thread of weft crosses twice between every two rows of knots. Pile, fine wool, or occasionally silk, clipped short. Border, three stripes divided by smaller coloured lines. Sides, a blue double overcasting. Both ends, a narrow web and short warp fringe. Texture, firm. Weave at back is of fine grain. Usual length, four to ten feet. Usual width, three fifths to four fifths length.
Plate 53. Turkoman Rug with Katchli Pattern
Princess Bokharas.—The rugs known as Princess Bokharas are woven by the Mohammedan tribes who dwell in parts of the Khanate of Bokhara. They are nearly square and the field is divided into four equal sections by perpendicular and horizontal bands. Because of this pattern they are called “Katchlis,” a word derived from the Armenian language signifying “like a cross.” The bands generally have designs that are co-ordinate with those in part of the border; but not infrequently the designs of the horizontal band differ from those of the perpendicular one, and in a few rare instances consist of an octagonal figure. It is generally believed that the well-known Y-shaped motive characteristic of the field and the border is intended to represent the tree of life, but some native weavers suggest a different interpretation. To them the whole rug symbolises a mosque; the perpendicular arm of the cross is the entrance; the Y-shaped designs are benches; and the broad diagonal lines with serrated edges in the borders are groves of trees surrounding the mosque. A very large percentage of these pieces are namazliks. One of their peculiarities is the position of their unobtrusive tent-shaped prayer arch, which is in a panel entirely within their upper border.
Compared with Royal Bokharas their nap is rarely of as fine quality, the warp is usually of brown instead of cream white wool, and the weave is coarser. Also, the tones of colour are more sombre, and of browner shades; but in rare old pieces the rich mahogany and bronze hues of the ground, on which are represented small designs in shades of cream and dark blue, are exceedingly rich and pleasing. Unfortunately, within recent years large numbers of this class have been made solely for commercial purposes, and lack the finer qualities of their prototypes.
Type Characteristics. Colours, principally dark red or brown, with minor quantities of dark blue and ivory. Knot, Sehna. Knots to inch horizontally eight to twelve; perpendicularly, fourteen to eighteen. The rows of knots are firmly pressed down, so that the warp is concealed at back and the weft partly hidden. Warp, brown wool or goat’s hair; each of the two threads of warp encircled by a knot is equally prominent at back. Weft, wool, of fine diameter. A thread of weft crosses twice between every two rows of knots. Pile, wool of short or medium length; occasionally some goat’s hair is used. Border, three stripes, separated by narrow lines. Sides, a double overcasting or a double goat’s hair selvage of three cords. Both ends, a web and warp fringe. Texture, stout. Weave at back is of moderately fine grain. Usual length, four and one half to six feet. Usual width, two thirds to four fifths length.
Tekkes.—A little over two centuries ago there lived on the peninsula of Mangishlar, on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, an almost unknown tribe called the “Tekke,” a term which is said to denote a mountain goat, and was applied on account of the headlong pace at which the men rode over rough mountain sides. About the beginning of the XVIII Century they packed their khibitkas,[34] and after moving southward to escape from the attacks of a more powerful tribe, they met the Yomuds in the southwestern corner of Turkestan and robbed them of their lands. Further eastward they snatched the fertile oasis of Ak-kal from some Kurds, whose ancestors a Shah of Persia had located there in earlier times to protect his kingdom from fierce northern tribes. By irrigating and cultivating the soil, they prospered and increased rapidly in population, until, about 1830, they numbered one hundred thousand. One fourth of them then moved eastward; and after settling on the banks of the Tajand, not far from the Persian town of Saraks, they attacked the inhabitants of Merv and captured the city. Growing thus to be a powerful people, they occupied much of the country between Persia and the Amu Daria.
Ever restless, they were constantly looking for weaker foes on whom to fall; and when a leader would announce an intended raid, hundreds or even thousands would meet at the appointed rendezvous prepared to blindly follow him. Sometimes it was through the passes that looked down into the fertile valleys of Northern Persia. Stealthily creeping through them they would fall unexpectedly upon an unprotected village and dash away with young women and children. If pursued, they would stab their captives, and if necessary, ride more than one hundred miles a day in flight. At other times, they would attack caravans crossing the deserts and carry away both camels and wares.