Kyrgyz Antique Carpet Products

Pattern of Kyrgyz Antique Carpets

Kyrgyz antique carpets are distinguished by their high artistic merits, which do not exceed the bounds of modesty and elegant simplicity. They are devoid of gaudiness both in coloring and ornamentation. The pattern organically connects with the background, forming a single whole with it. The color palette of Kyrgyz carpets is limited to two main colors: red and blue. Both colors are presented in muted tones. It is in such colors that we have recorded Kyrgyz carpets made approximately 70-80 years ago.

Plant dyes played a significant role in the artistic design of antique carpets. S. M. Dudin believes that carpets with a limited number of basic tones in their coloring "carry the features of great antiquity." This cannot be disagreed with. This is also confirmed by archaeological data. During the excavations of the ancient Hunnic burial site of Noin-Ula, "a number of large and small carpets were found, identical in material, technique, composition, execution, and coloring," the main colors of which were red, blue, and yellow.

In carpet products, in addition to red and blue, other colors (yellow, orange, pink, green, white, brown) are introduced in limited quantities, which usually fill the details of the carpet.

In such carpet products as "chavadan," "bashtyk," and "tegirich," the introduction of the aforementioned colors is more abundant than in carpets. Here one can find bright red, crimson, raspberry, and sometimes violet colors. The decorative stripes of "tegirich" are especially distinguished by their coloring. They are polychrome.

Carpets with black threads are limited in distribution. We have noted their presence in the Batken region.

One of the most ancient colors used in carpets is undoubtedly white.

Common products that used white color included hanging doors in yurts and prayer mats. A white background is also found on the stripes of "tegirich." In carpets and small products (of various manufacturing times, up to the most recent), one can often find borders consisting of a white background filled with colorful ornamentation. Carpets with a central white background filled with blue and red patterns were made by Kyrgyz from the Noygut group.

The patterns of carpet products usually have a narrow border (in one knot) of a contrasting color or another tone. Emphasizing the shape of the pattern, the color of the border is muted by the overall tone of the carpet. The red ornament is usually bordered with the same color, but in the brightest shade, or brown. The brown pattern is bordered with blue, and the blue one with brown.

In Kyrgyz carpets, typical techniques of Kyrgyz decorative art are revealed, expressed in the alternation of colors of the background and pattern (a pattern with a red background is surrounded by a pattern with a blue background and vice versa), as well as in the equality and mutual penetration of the main colors—blue and red. At the same time, in Kyrgyz products, the calm muted red color predominates, creating an overall impression.

A characteristic feature of Kyrgyz carpets is the presence of a border frame and a central field. The border on the side and longitudinal sides has the same pattern and arrangement. Only in the configuration of the pattern on the narrow and wide sides of the product is there a difference caused by the weaving technique. Usually, the border frame consists of two to three stripes of different widths, filled with different patterns. The pattern of the border is sharply distinct from the pattern on the central field. The border is expressive, but at the same time, it does not dominate, and the attention is mainly drawn to the central field of the carpet.

The ratio of the width of the border to the width of the field in Kyrgyz carpets is not constant; many variations can be observed: 1:2.5, 1:3, 1:4.5.

Features of the Kyrgyz Carpet