When visiting the State Museum of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan, you can see a variety of carpet panels, which are modern art that preserves the traditions of the cultural heritage of national carpet weaving. Along with ancient canvases and carpet products, the depositaries and exhibitions of the State Museum contain artefacts that are real works of art. Let’s take a closer look at them.
Landscape carpets are amazingly fine, striking with the abundance of colours and subtle shades that together make up the picture and turn the carpet into a work of art. Thousands and thousands of hand-made knots for a mathematically precisely calculated sketch formed the basis for images of mountain gorges, waterfalls, sea waves of the Caspian Sea with coastal birds, blooming spring landscapes in the vast Karakum Desert, city scenery and others. Subject pictures, in which the silhouettes of the famous Ahalteke horses, the faithful friend of the shepherd, Alabay dog, and the ship of the desert, camel, against the backdrop of endless sands, various species of birds and mountain animals come to life, are of particular interest. Many carpet articles amaze with the expressiveness of the woven objects; they can be compared to painting, since the interpretation is so subtle and the small details are precisely executed. Double-sided carpets are also interesting: the figures of Ahalteke horses, for example, mirror each other, but colours can be changed and the double-sided canvas does not have a reverse side as such, it can be enjoyed from both sides.
