Catalogued as Yomut in the book Textile Treasures, this remarkable asmalyk features a bird design commonly attributed to the Tekke. Both groups of people inhabited the same Akhal region until a complete Tekke takeover in the late 18th century.
Traditionally among these Turkmen cultures, a pair of asmalyk trappings would have been tied to the sides of a camel participating in the wedding procession. They demonstrated the bride's weaving ability-a crucial asset in marriage negotiations-and symbolised her transition into married life.
Twenty bird asmalyks are known to exist. On nine, the birds face right; on seven, left; and on four, their direction alternates.
