bukhara wrote:made by turkmens in Iran, near Mashhad
Looks a lot like some pieces I've seen made by a North Khourisan cooperative.
I spent a lot of time talking to these individuals several years ago, at the Kish Carpet exhibition.
Mashhad is actually a collection point - not a point of origin. The rugs that pass through Mashhad could originate in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and many more places (Uzbekistan, for example).
I have a modern piece that was most likely made in Pakistan, as well as an older piece (70-80 yrs old) that is Ersari.
Mashhad is a great place to look for rugs!
Unfortunately - politics being what they are - I won't be visiting any time soon.