Turkmen Main Carpet, mid-1850s. Turkmenistan, Yomud tribe, 19th century. Wool, knotted pile, 128-136 symmetrical knots per square inch; overall: 290 x 160 cm (114 3/16 x 63 in.). In the Islamic world, carpets symbolize status and wealth. A carpets origin can be identified by its design, color, and technique. Shades of red and lobed motifs, or guls, are hallmarks of Turkmen carpets woven by nomadic tribes across northeast Iran, Afghanistan, and central Asia. This main carpet of the Yomud tribe features beautiful colors in the guls on a rich aubergine ground; the decorated skirts, or elem, with stylized flora at each end, are its rarest feature. This carpet would have been the prized possession within the living quarters of a round tent, or yurt.