It is typical for Turkmens to bring their crafts to the rank of high art. This character feature of the nation has been reflected in many historical documents, in which the history of Turkmen carpet art occupies special place. Therefore, one of favorite and bright annual holidays is dedicated to Turkmen carpet art, which gained the world glory.
… Administration of Transcaspian Oblast has very serious approach to study of the reserves of Turkmen land. It was not natural resources but also everyday life, activity of the population, which attracted attention of researchers. Turkmen carpet has appeared as a miracle among other crafts. He conquered experienced experts and connoisseurs of folk art, orientalists, representatives of trade agencies with its beauty and technical perfection.
Art scientists tried to figure out enchanting magic of carpet palette. It was composed of only four main colors of wool thread – black, white, red and orange. Then where the feeling of playing, radiant and rich painting comes from? And why the carpet do not fade but on the contrary acquires subtle and glimmering tones with the time? The historians racked their brains when and who has created rhythmical row of patterns and symbols, almost singing graphics? May be these are the elements of ancient Turkmen script, a key to which has been lost?
The answers to the questions of the scientists were not on the surface. Many things had to be done to solve the secret. It was easier for trade agents who answering the question “What is it?” said without hesitation: “Definitely, this is expensive goods”, which was proven at the first art and industrial exhibitions where Turkmen carpets received the highest awards for the first time.
Turkmen carpets were exhibited at Caucasian Exhibition (1888), in Moscow (1891), Nizhniy Novgorod (1896), Saint Petersburg (1902, 1913), Tashkent (1905). Their glory has flown to Europe and America when Turkmen carpets were presented at the World Art Exhibition in Paris in 1899, St Louis (USA) in 1904, in Berlin in 1914. However, sometimes it happened that valuable carpets did not return to their owners after foreign exhibitions. Petty reimbursements and sincere apologies, this was all what they received for their trusting nature.
Orders on supply of wholesale shipments of Turkmen carpets have started to come from big world trade houses to Transcaspian Oblast. It is worth to say that the carpet has never been a piece of trade among Turkmens until the 80s of the XIX century. Even though almost every women was engaged in this craft from teen to old age making sometimes true masterpieces, the carpet remained just a household item. Sometime, it was used as a piece of barter but never to make any profit.
The carpets were made by all canons of original craft, where everything has been determined like time of shearing, method of spinning of yarn, selection of only natural dyes and the process of weaving itself. At the same time, making carpet is a hard work but it was loved by masters. The heart of master melted and a part of her soul was left in the carpet. Each carpet was unique and valuable with human warmth put into the carpet. It was these carpets, which were collected in Turkmen settlements and made before 1881, which were presented at the exhibitions and gained high recognition of the world community.
The great masterpiece of Turkmen people had to undergo a big ordeal at the edge of the XIX and XX centuries. The carpet, which was highly appraised by art scientists, has attracted attention of businessmen. It becomes a piece of trade. “Fast and plenty” this requirement of merchant time almost killed the art, which was improved through the centuries. Replacement of natural dyes with chemical ones, introduction of fashionable but strange for national traditions elements, haste in work, buying of valuable ancient ornamental carpets from the population at cheap price caused in reduction of quality of carpets. Scientific community of Russia and Western Europe has stood up to protect Turkmen carpets in the 90s of the XIX century, after which sale of aniline dyes and nontraditional carpet patterns has been prohibited and loans for buying quality wool and dyes in special containers have been opened for all carpet makers.
The situation has started to change to the better and previous glory was returned to Turkmen carpet, which is proven by words from one of the document of Transcaspian Review from 1911: “… If America and England could make such carpets at their factories as made by Turkmen masters in Central Asia, they would have made it. But all the attempts are futile because carpet art is unique by many reasons…” Another documents says: “… It is generally recognized that these items (carpets) have no analogues in the world by their quality and art finishing”.
Vladimir Zarembo
Photo by Yuri Shkurin
