Kyrgyz Shyrdak
Naryn highlands
Ornament & symbolism
The defining Kyrgyz carpet: a mosaic where the same horn pattern is cut from two felts and inlaid, so figure and ground exchange colour across a central diamond. A craft on the UNESCO safeguarding list.
ShyrdakShyrdak — A Kyrgyz mosaic-felt carpet: two contrasting felts are cut to the same pattern and inlaid so positive and negative swap places.FeltFelt — A non-woven textile: wool fibres are matted together with moisture, heat and pressure. The base of nomadic floor coverings.Kochkor-müyüzKochkor-müyüz — The ram's-horn motif — a pair of curling spirals. The most common steppe symbol, standing for wealth, abundance and fertility.
History
A shyrdak can take months and is expected to last decades. Patterns are memorised and improvised by master felters, traditionally as part of a daughter's dowry.
Suits these interiors
A confident square of red and cream — the single best 'one strong rug' for a pared-back modern room with wooden floors.
Interested in this carpet?
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