The distinctive feature of this Yomut rug are the rows of “swimming turtles” which are part of a sacred pattern and suggest it may have been traditionally used as a Turkmen prayer rug. A similar example of this fine piece is illustrated in Elena Tsareva’s catalogue of the Neville Kingston collection (page 86). The horizontal arrangement in alternating bands is quintessentially Yomud – this striped format distinguishes them from other Turkmen tribes who typically use all-over gol patterns in vertical columns. The colour palette is dominated by a wine-red/burgundy drawn from madder. There are touches of deep blue (indigo), ivory and dark brown. The piece was probably woven in the late 19th century.