Shahsavan bag (278)

Shahsavan soumak bag from north west Persia (Iran)

Age: circa 1850

Size: 1′.11″x2′.2″ (58×66 cm)

The square navy field shows two echelons of hooked crosses,supported by fractional,but similar motifs at the sides and corners.Red,aubergine and green appear in the field.The navy main border shows a zig zag white ram’s horns at the points.The rarity of this main border extends to the geometric motifs of various colors in the reserves.The brown inner minor border employs a version of the quincunx pattern while the ivory outer surround shows a conjoint double combs.Barber pole lines are both complete and partial in this piece.At one end is a twining followed by a red flatweave,while at the other is a cicim x pattern flanked by narrow soumak technique lines.All the colors are from natural sources.The handle is soft and pliable.The condition is good except for the replaced blue selvedges.