Discover the Beauty of Turkmen Rugs
Explore the rich history and intricate craftsmanship of authentic Turkmen rugs, renowned for their bold patterns and cultural significance.
What Are Turkmen Rugs?
Every Turkmen rug is its own language of pattern and symmetry: the gul, an indicative recurring emblematic motif, is not the same across each of the tribes and serves as both a visual and protective signature.
Tekke rugs are finely knotted with dense rows and spacing of uniform octagonal guls. These rugs were often produced for ceremonial or dowry use.
Yomud rugs exhibit sharper geometric guls with relatively more open spacing and richly decorated borders, with the potential of kilim (flatwoven) ends.
Both approaches illustrate a fundamental understanding of balance, repetition, and spiritual representative symbolism tied to their nomadic culture.
Distinctive Features of Turkmen Rugs
- Unique Characteristics of Turkmen Rugs
Dark Reds and Brown Coloration – These colors were created from madder root, walnut husk, and other natural dyes. - High Knot Count – Sometimes in excess of 500 knots per square inch like those found in Tekke rugs. This provides incredible detail in design and a soft velvet like surface feel.
- Wool on Wool – Durable, soft and uses tribal wool with the highest lanolin content.
- Tribal Gul Design – Each tribe has their own gul patterns. The gul is incorporated into the field and often reappears, with extreme symmetry.
- Kilim Ends – Occasionally include flatwoven kilim ends, particularly Yomud rugs; which provide additional dimensionality and cultural detail.
The Appeal of Turkmen Rugs
Turkmen rugs are renowned for warmth, strength, and symbolism. They are made with repeated motifs and well-worn, rich colors that mean they fit into minimalist and layered contexts well. Each rug has a spirit of movement, tradition, and precision, which gives them enduring value in the eyes of both collectors and interior designers..
Here's a couple Turkmen Rug types
Yomud Rugs
Features:
Yomud rugs are recognizable by their reddish-brown field color and angular, repeating gul designs. Unlike many other tribal rugs, Yomud rugs tend to have a more open field with decorative borders and flatwoven, kilim ends, a Yomud trademark.
Care Tips:
Due to the delicacy of their kilim ends and borders, vacuum Yomud rugs gently, especially along the edges, using suction only. Avoid placing Yomud rugs in areas of high foot traffic. Act quickly to blot spills with a clean towel and cold water. Rotating your Yomud rug regularly, and having it professionally hand cleaned on occasion, will maximize its tribal definition and richness of color.
Tekke Rugs
Features:
The Tekke rugs are the most sophisticated of the Turkmen styles with compact rows of octagonal guls, finely knotted in rich tonalities of dark red, ivory, and navy. While they have a smooth surface, their ceremonial use does reflect the artisanal quality of Tekke weave.
Care Tips:
Tekke rugs are quite tightly knotted and should be vacuumed carefully. If vacuuming, use suction only, without a rotating brush. Avoid direct lighting for extended periods and rotate your rug frequently, this will help the color consistency created by pressures from high foot traffic. If spills occur, avoid rubbing the area and blot thoroughly. As needed, have your Tekke rug cleaned professionally approx. every 3-5 years. This will help sustain the integrity of the fine wool and its richness of color.
Caring for Your Turkmen Rug: Traditional Art, Timeless Care
Turkmen rugs are quite durable, but they perform well with loving, educated care. The rugs are tightly woven and are durable, but their color and tribal designs require special care.
- Always vacuum with suction only, never use a vacuum with a beater bar.
- Avoid direct sunlight, which cause madder dye to fade unevenly.
- Rotate the rug every few months in order for both sides to be worn evenly.
- Blot (do NOT rub) spills with cool water and clean cloths.
- Professionally clean the rug every 3-5 years to bring back the brilliance and restore fiber strength.
Expert cleaning will help you to guard your Turkmen rug
At Mo’s Rug & More, we specialize in hand-cleaning tribal rugs like Tekke and Yomud. Using gentle, fiber-safe techniques, we remove embedded dirt, restore vibrancy, and help preserve the stories woven into every gul.