West Turkestan, c. 116 x 26 cm, about 1800; symmetrical knot over three warp threads, wool warp with wool and silk wefts, wool pile with minor silk parts in the pattern;
also called “yolami”, “jolami” or “ak yap” (white rope), the pattern of tent straps differs considerably from traditional Turkmen products and cannot, therefore, be attributed with absolute certainty. Turkmen nomads arranged the straps around the interior circumference, with the decorative side facing inwards, at approximately 1.5 m above ground, where the yurt roof meets the sides. Manufactured on a horizontal loom in so-called “single level knotting”, between 15 and c. 40 cm wide, and measuring up to 100 cm in length, these items are among the most significant works of art in Eurasia. Short kibitka stripe from a formerly longer tent strap, as described above, with classical tree of life motif and partly large and narrow stripes. The zig-zag border along both long sides is part of the typical design repertoire of all Turkmen tribes and cannot, therefore, be attributed to a specific group. Worth mentioning are the rare small white parts in the pattern, which were executed in silk. The smoke stained foundation suggests that the present item was used on the inside of the yurt as decoration. Mounted on fabric, both finishes have been trimmed, minimally damaged areas to the weave.

Further reading:
Elena Tsareva, Turkmen Carpets, Masterpieces of Steppe Art, from 16th to 19th Centuries, The Hoffmeister Collection, Story 11, Die Zeltbänder, Kinder der Steppe.