National Carpet (Syrmak)

Description

Traditional Kazakh floral syrmak (national felt carpet). The syrmak is made from pieces of multicolored felt and decorated with ornamental patterns. Its main colors are red, green, brown, orange, purple, and shades of pink. The central composition features two symmetrical diamond-shaped elements, with their inner parts decorated with multicolored floral and leaf-shaped motifs. The central area is framed with floral, wavy, curled, and horn-shaped ornaments. A green wavy pattern is repeated along the edges of the syrmak. The contours of the ornaments are outlined with threads and emphasized by quilting stitches. The symmetrical arrangement of the patterns and the combination of rich colors enhance the artistic expressiveness of the piece. In traditional Kazakh life, the syrmak was used to decorate the interior of a dwelling and as a floor covering.