Central Asian Tent Band, Turkmenistan, 19th Century: Wool, cotton, and silk. Size: 36'' x 11'' (91 x 28 cm).This fragment of a Central Asian tent band, originating from Turkmenistan during the 19th century, showcases a captivating blend of textile techniques and materials. The pile, in this case, serves as the primary decorative element, creating a striking design comprised of pairs of ram's horns flanking a narrow strip of diamond-shaped medallions, with similar strips adorning the borders.Tent bands like this one played a crucial role in the construction and decoration of traditional Central Asian trellis tents. These tents typically featured a wooden skeleton covered with felts to provide insulation, and the tent bands were used to girdle the roof and the cylindrical walls of the tent. These bands served both structural and decorative functions, acting as essential struts to support the tent's framework while also adding aesthetic appeal.

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