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Offered together is an unusual and remarkably closely matched pair of antique Turkmen chuval storage bags, attributed to the Yomut (Yomud) Turkmen of Central Asia and dating to the mid to late 19th century, approximately 1850–1880.
These are especially interesting because both survive substantially in their original bag form. Many antique Turkmen chuvals encountered today have been separated or cut down, leaving only the decorative pile-woven face. These examples retain their red woven backs/interiors along with surviving braided closure and tie elements.
The two bags correspond extremely closely in design, proportions, coloration and construction and appear to have been made as companion pieces.
Each features nine large geometric guls arranged in three rows of three, accompanied by smaller geometric ornaments and surrounded by multiple intricately patterned borders. The palette includes deep reddish-brown, rust, dark blue, blue-green, ivory and brown tones.
Below the decorated field of each bag is a broad plain reddish-brown section known as the elem. This undecorated area is an intentional and traditional part of the original composition and is not a missing portion of the design.
Small differences between the two textiles are consistent with their individually handwoven construction.
ABOUT CHUVALS
Chuvals, also spelled juvals, were large storage and transport bags traditionally woven by Turkmen peoples of Central Asia. They were functional household objects used for storing and transporting possessions and also represented an important form of Turkmen textile art.
The decorative pile-woven fronts were frequently removed from old bags and retained as rugs or wall textiles. The survival of these two examples with their woven backs and portions of their closure systems still present makes the pair especially interesting both as antique textiles and as ethnographic objects.
ATTRIBUTION:
Yomut / Yomud Turkmen
ORIGIN:
Central Asia / Transcaspian Turkmen region
DATE:
Mid to late 19th century, approximately 1850–1880
MATERIAL:
Wool; hand-knotted pile with woven wool bag construction
DESIGN:
Nine principal geometric guls on each bag arranged in a 3 x 3 configuration, with secondary geometric ornaments, multiple borders and broad plain lower elems.
QUANTITY:
Two antique chuval storage bags offered together as a matched pair.
SIZE:
Approximately 47 inches wide x 33 inches high each.
Please refer to the photographs for additional measurements and details.
CONDITION:
Both pieces are in authentic antique condition showing considerable evidence of age and traditional use.
There is overall pile wear, including areas of low and missing pile and exposed foundation; edge and seam wear; scattered small holes, openings and losses; surface soiling; fading and color variation from age and use; wear and losses to portions of the woven backs; and deterioration and fraying to portions of the braided cords and closure elements.
Old stitching, repairs and reinforcement are visible in areas.
Condition and the degree of wear vary between the two bags. One retains noticeably stronger pile in portions of its decorated face, while the other exhibits greater overall pile wear and loss.
Despite their considerable age and use, the principal nine-gul designs remain clearly recognizable, and importantly, both pieces retain substantial elements of their original bag construction rather than surviving solely as detached decorative chuval faces.
These textiles are not represented as professionally cleaned or restored. They are being offered in their present condition and have not been cleaned or altered for sale.
PLEASE REVIEW ALL PHOTOGRAPHS CAREFULLY. The photographs are an important part of the description and clearly show the fronts, backs, construction, surviving closure elements, wear, losses and overall condition of both pieces.
A striking and unusual surviving pair of 19th-century Yomut Turkmen tribal storage bags, offered together as found.
