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38
saddlebag, circa 1900
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39
saddlebag, circa 1900 |
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These animal-motif bags, which were most likely
made in eastern Khorasan along the Afghan border, represent a
type that has long been popular among
collectors. Although until recently
they were attributed to the Baluch people,
there is growing evidence that they were
woven instead by members of other tribal
groups that populated the area, possibly
the Aimaq, Afshar, or Timuri. Stylized
animals have appeared in Middle Eastern
pile weavings for centuries. Here they
resemble the animals on a well-known 17th
century Anatolian rug preserved in Istanbul's
VakiHar Museum, as well as
others appearing on rugs depicted in
European paintings of the 15th century.
The prominent tails and delicate crests of
the creatures suggest they may be peacocks. On the other hand, they
may represent stags or mythical creatures.
It has also been argued that the name "Baluch"
derives from the word for cock or
cockscomb, suggesting that the figures may
actually be roosters preserved as
tribal symbols. The skill with
which weavers of this area blend the
closely related colors of a dark and
shadowy palette is apparent in both of
these weavings. M.H. |
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Structural Analysis - Plate 38 |
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SIZE: |
: 21x25
in. (53.3 x 63.3 cm.) |
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WARP: |
wool, Z2S,
ivory |
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WEFT: |
wool, z x 2;
brown |
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PILE: |
wool, Z2S,
asymmetrical knots open left, h. 9,
v. 12, 108 k/sq. in.; ivory, dark brown, brown, brown-
red, orange, blue-green, medium-dark blue, light blue,
blue-black |
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ENDS & BACK: |
ivory,
brown (abrash), red- brown, orange weft-faced plain weave
continuous with supplementary patterning wefts |
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SIDES: |
continuous
weft wrapped around single cord of 4
warps, attached to back with brown overcasting
probably of goat hair |
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Structural Analysis -
Plate 39 |
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SIZE: |
23 x
28'/2 in. (58.5 x 72.5 cm.) |
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WARP: |
wool, Z2S;
ivory |
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WEFT: |
wool, z x
2-3; brown |
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PILE: |
wool, Z2S, asymmetrical knots open left,
h. 8, v. 9, 72 k/sq. in., design woven opposite direction to
pile; ivory, dark brown, brown, orange-red, orange, light
orange, dark blue, blue |
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ENDS: |
cut |
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SIDES: |
right: weft
wraps around 2 cords of 2 warp
each; left: cut, modern cord attached |
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THROUGH THE COLLECTOR'S EYE |
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Oriental Rugs from New England Private Collections |
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