YOMUT CARPET

Yomut also spelled Yomud, floor covering that is handwoven by the Yomut Turkmens of Turkmenistan, and is usually of good to excellent quality. In contrast to Tekke carpets, there is considerable variety of design among the larger Yomut carpets. Many have diagonal rows in which a single diamond- or lozenge-shaped motif is repeated with diverse colourings. This motif may be edged with latch hooks; but the most characteristic edging is composed of a graduated group of vertical bands, each of which is graced with tiny florets. A second series of carpets has vertical rows of parti-coloured octagons on which appear tiny, stylized two-headed dogs. The border is usually a highly geometric vine design on white; and end aprons are covered with stylized designs of leaves and stems or, in some cases, elaborate flowering plants. Colouring ranges from bright red to plum shades, with white being used for the field in some of the small bag faces (the fronts of saddlebags or storage bags). A weaving apparently peculiar to the Yomuts is a five-sided decorative panel resembling a storage-bag face, usually ornamented with a diamond lattice or a row of conventionalized fir trees. Yomut tent bands (used to decorate tents) and brocaded flat-surfaced rugs are also noteworthy. The larger Yomut carpets are entirely of wool or goat hair, usually in Ghiordes knotting; in small pieces, for which Sehna knotting is used more frequently, white cotton has been combined occasionally with wool in the weft. Like Tekke carpets, Yomut carpets were often sold as Bokharas. See also Bokhara rug.