Yomud ensi (tent entrance hanging)
from western Turkestan
circa 1870
Size: 168 x 158 cm
The term ensi refers to the knotted rug which hung at the entrance to the Turkmen yurt ( öy).
It is one of the most important artefacts in the tent and reflected cosmogonical beliefs and the organisation of the tent in its design composition – the division of the field into four as the tent in its layout was divided into quadrants.
This is an early and beautiful example from the Yomud Turkmen tribe with a rare, if not unique, elem (end panel) design.
The rug has been reduced in length by about 5 cm but is otherwise in excellent condition.
