Turkmen Rug Design Tradition Lecture in Los Angeles

“From Sagdaq to Salor: Design traditions of

Central Asia c. 600-1900”

with

Jürg Rageth

Independent Oriental Carpet and Textile Researcher

Riehen, Switzerland

There is a continuity of Central Asian (Turkmen) design tradition over a period of more than 1000 years. Using a number of pre 10^th century Central Asian textile designs as examples, partly from real Central Asian textiles, partly from textile representations on Central Asian (Sogdian) wall paintings, and comparing them with Salor carpet designs from Central Asia from ca. 1500-1900, Jürg Rageth will elucidate this continuing tradition with evidence which is not only based on art historical research, but is also supported by results from AMS radiocarbon dating and HPLC dye analyses. This presentation will draw some new light on the origins of Central Asian (Turkmen) carpet design in general, and on tradition and continuity of Salor carpet design in particular. By approaching historical developments of Turko-Iranian Central Asian design traditions over roughly the past two millennia, Jürg will also demonstrate a successful pairing of art history and the natural sciences. This talk was one of the best-received presentations at the recent ICOC in Istanbul, and represents part of his recent work for a forthcoming publication on Turkmen carpets.

Jürg Rageth is an independent Oriental carpet and textile researcher based in Riehen, Switzerland. Although trained as an industrial designer, Jürg was “infested” by the rug bug at an exhibition of Central Asian textiles in Basel in 1973, and subsequently became a dealer specializing in antique Anatolian kilims at “Galerie Rageth” until 2003. He has been involved with radiocarbon dating and dye analysis since 1995 and published several articles on this subject. As head of the Basel rug society, “Freunde des Orientteppichs,” he was the organizer of several carpet and textile symposia, which have been published under his imprint. Jürg invites TMA/SC members to bring examples of Turkman carpets and trappings for show & tell.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

10:00 a.m. Refreshments 10:30 a.m. Program

SOBCO International, Ltd.

1655 South La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035

Tel. 310-770-9085

Admission: TMA/SC Members: Gratis Guests: $7

TMA/SC Upcoming events

	Saturday, March 1	TMA/SC Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, April 26, 2008 “A Dialogue Between Native and Colonial Andean Textile Traditions” with Elena Phipps, Senior Conservator, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

RUG & TEXTILE COMMUNITY NEWS

“The Finishing Touch: Accessories from the Bolivian Highlands,” on view at The Textile Museum from February 15 through September 18, 2008, showcases the beauty and diversity of woven and knitted accessories made by the indigenous Aymara- and Quechua-speaking people of Bolivia. The exhibition features a colorful group of traditional belts, bags, hats and other items that were made in the early to mid-20th century and acquired by The Textile Museum in late 2007.

“Talismans of the Turkoman: Traditions of a Warrior Tribe” Coronado Museum of History & Art (San Diego area) will celebrate the Turkoman tribes of Central Asia with a display of rare Turkoman textiles and jewelry belonging to TMA/SC member Courtenay McGowen. The exhibit runs March 14-May 26, 2008. 1100 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92115 in the historic section of Downtown Coronado. Open M-F, 9-5 and S-S, 10-5. Admission is a suggested donation and there is plenty of metered parking. Opening with Lecture by Kate FitzGibbon Friday evening, 6:30-8:30; Curatorial consultation of your Turkoman textiles and jewelry with a panel including Val Arbab will take place on Saturday evening, March 15, 5-8 p.m. Reservations required for opening and curatorial consultation: Courtenay C. McGowen ctc1140@mac.com