Yomud Ensi (Tent Entrance Hanging)

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.