by Louis Dubreuil

The kush or kuç motif is one of the original designs used exclusively on Turkmen ensis, which are now generally understood to be door rugs for the Turkmen yurt or oï (the hypothesis that ensi were prayer rugs is no longer generally accepted). The questions of whether ensi were used inside or outside, every day or just for special circumstances, remain open. Some old reports, such as the one cited by MacDonald (TRIBAL RUGS, p. 66) about the Saryks in the Pendjeh oasis, indicate that ensis were outdoor hangings for the kibitkas (Saryk’s yurt).

by Pierre Galafassi

Chemically speaking, wool is keratin, a protein copolymer containing about 17 different amino-acid monomers. The main elements are cystine, leucine, glycine and glutamic acid. Covalent cross-linking of adjacent cystine residues by disulphide bonds is a major factor for the mechanical properties of keratin fibres. The bond fragility to high temperature (over 90-100°C), alkaline pH, reduction or oxidation, must be taken into account in dyeing.

I wish I had surfed into the Turkotek site for the first time sooner than just a couple of months ago.  I might not have compounded my konfuzion and kosts about khalyks and kapunuks.  I might have learned from John Howe’s 2007 opening gambit that:

Historically, the ‘khalyk’ has been a source of controversy and mystery.

and Margret and I – not being "carpetologists", dealers or collectors, and lacking the knowledge and experience of most Forum members – would not have feverishly pursued a gnawing issue about "our" supposed kapunuk.  Bravely, though, today I risk correcting John’s observation from:

... has been a source ... to ... is still a source ... of controversy and mystery.