Shahsavan bag (268)

Shahsavan soumak bag from north west Persia (Iran)

Age: circa 1880

Size: 2′.2″x1′.10″ (66×56 cm)

The red field is nearly covered by a white cotton square enclosing a layered Memling Gul in red,blue and black.The innermost square shows triangles,a nested diamond and rosettes.Around the square are disjoint small stars.The main border hosts hexagons enclosing crosshatches with ivory cotton triangles.There is a matching navy ground outermost border.There are two minor borders with rosettes in blue and yellow.There are several barber pole lines in the border system.The closure loops are intact and correspond to the red tab panel which is edged by black and white brocaded quincunxes.The red plain wool back is intact and edged on three sides by a multicolor decoration.All the colors are from natural and vegetable sources.The piece is in good condition.