Antique Soumak Carpet, Daghestan/Kuba Region, Eastern Caucasus. ...
Item Ref
BM/FL2
A truly magnificent, decorative Soumak carpet with wonderful, saturated, natural colours, woven in the environs of Daghestan and Kuba in the eastern Caucasus, during the second half nineteenth century.
Carpets woven in the soumak technique don't come much better than this one!
Size: 2.85m x 2.21m (9' 4" x 7' 3").
Carpets woven in the soumak technique don't come much better than this one!
Size: 2.85m x 2.21m (9' 4" x 7' 3").
£7,500
Antique Flat-Weave / Kilim, Tribes of Avar, ...
Item Ref
BM2261
This striking flat-weave or kilim was woven by the weavers of Avar in the environs of Daghestan and dated 1939 in both the Solar and Islamic calendars in the top left and right areas of the blue field.
The glowing indigo-blue ground contains two vertical rows of what appears to be large zoomorphic shapes and surrounded by stylised birds and animals. What is particularly stunning is the main soft-cream border with its depiction of a continuous, powerful 'birds-heads' design in red.
The tiny inscription in the top border reads in Azeri 'ajam' which means 'hungry'!
The flat-weaves or kilims of Avar are rare and this fabulous piece is in excellent, complete condition.
Size: 3.05 x 1.55m (10' 0" x 5' 1").
The glowing indigo-blue ground contains two vertical rows of what appears to be large zoomorphic shapes and surrounded by stylised birds and animals. What is particularly stunning is the main soft-cream border with its depiction of a continuous, powerful 'birds-heads' design in red.
The tiny inscription in the top border reads in Azeri 'ajam' which means 'hungry'!
The flat-weaves or kilims of Avar are rare and this fabulous piece is in excellent, complete condition.
Size: 3.05 x 1.55m (10' 0" x 5' 1").
£4,500
Antique Dining Sofreh, Timuri Sangtshuli Tribe, Borderlands ...
Item Ref
BM/SJ8
Private Collection just acquired.
Yet another absolutely incredible weaving! A dining sofreh woven by the Sangtshuli Timuri tribes circa 1870-1880.
The central undyed, natural camel-hair field comprises a myriad of small stylised shrubs woven in overlay/underlay brocading and surrounded by extremely finely-woven borders in weft-substitution technique.
Absolutely stunning are the brocaded skirts each end with an amazing and delicate use of green in the central top and bottom skirts - extremely rare in weavings of the Timuri tribes.
In excellent condition other than a small re-weave in the top left corner of the elem.
Size: 1.85 x 0.91m (6' 1" x 3' 0").
Yet another absolutely incredible weaving! A dining sofreh woven by the Sangtshuli Timuri tribes circa 1870-1880.
The central undyed, natural camel-hair field comprises a myriad of small stylised shrubs woven in overlay/underlay brocading and surrounded by extremely finely-woven borders in weft-substitution technique.
Absolutely stunning are the brocaded skirts each end with an amazing and delicate use of green in the central top and bottom skirts - extremely rare in weavings of the Timuri tribes.
In excellent condition other than a small re-weave in the top left corner of the elem.
Size: 1.85 x 0.91m (6' 1" x 3' 0").
£3,850
Antique Kilim, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-West ...
Item Ref
BM2280
I think this has to be one of my favourite Qashqa'i kilims of all time! Bold yet with subtle, vegetable colours throughout, it has a huge presence.
Made circa 1870-1880, no later, the kilim comprises diagonal bands of golden-yellow, rose-red, aubergine and a band woven in white cotton.
In very good condition albeit with a few minor areas of restoration, this is a fantastic kilim and has to be seen to appreciate the beauty in the colours. I love it!
Size: 3.05 x 1.46m (10' 0" x 4' 10").
Made circa 1870-1880, no later, the kilim comprises diagonal bands of golden-yellow, rose-red, aubergine and a band woven in white cotton.
In very good condition albeit with a few minor areas of restoration, this is a fantastic kilim and has to be seen to appreciate the beauty in the colours. I love it!
Size: 3.05 x 1.46m (10' 0" x 4' 10").
£3,800
Antique Timuri Bread Sofreh, Sangtshuli Tribe, Chakhansur ...
Item Ref
BM/SJ2
Private Collection just acquired.
This tiny bread sofreh, used for kneading dough, is extremely rare.
Made by Timuri - Sangtshuli tribes in south-west Afghanistan during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the central field is incredibly finely woven in a technique referred to as overlay/underlay brocading. The narrow, horizontal panel in the centre is even finer, woven in weft-substitution technique. The borders around the field are in knotted-pile and both skirts are finely worked again in weft-substitution weave.
Charming in every way and in excellent condition, this is a very collectible weaving of which few have survived.
Size: 86 x 84cm (2' 10" x 2' 9").
This tiny bread sofreh, used for kneading dough, is extremely rare.
Made by Timuri - Sangtshuli tribes in south-west Afghanistan during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, the central field is incredibly finely woven in a technique referred to as overlay/underlay brocading. The narrow, horizontal panel in the centre is even finer, woven in weft-substitution technique. The borders around the field are in knotted-pile and both skirts are finely worked again in weft-substitution weave.
Charming in every way and in excellent condition, this is a very collectible weaving of which few have survived.
Size: 86 x 84cm (2' 10" x 2' 9").
£2,800
Rare Antique Qashqa’i Baby Cradle, Kashkuli Tayefeh, ...
Item Ref
BM2291
This extremely rare, museum-quality, baby cradle, which I acquired from Iran late last year, is a record of a very special weaving which is lost today.
I managed to acquire the cradle complete with wooden hanging rods at each end, and expecting the wooden rods to be impounded by UK customs, was delighted to receive the cradle intact with rods.
The cradle, which was woven by Qashqa’i Kashkuli nomads during the early 20th century, had been lovingly woven by a tribal mother or grandmother for the impending arrival of the much-wanted baby or grandchild.
The cradle is woven in madder-red plain-weave technique with an abundance of knotted-pile deer or gazelle, stylised flower-heads and one, solitary, tiny, baby deer or gazelle.
I have never come across such an amazing, complete cradle in over 40 years of dealing in antique tribal rugs and weavings and that includes anything in my extensive collection of books showing weavings from private collections worldwide! Maybe there is another one out there somewhere!
Maybe one day too, a museum dedicated to the rugs and weavings of the Persian nomads will be established and where a weaving like this cradle will be on view, to show people how babies in nomadic life spent the first few years of their lives sleeping in cradles like this.
I thought of keeping it but have sadly nowhere to hang it. I hope it can go to a good home. The baby is excluded by the way!
I have priced it fairly according to condition and rarity and all I can say is, find another!
Size: 1.15 x 0.79m (3' 9" x 2' 7").
I managed to acquire the cradle complete with wooden hanging rods at each end, and expecting the wooden rods to be impounded by UK customs, was delighted to receive the cradle intact with rods.
The cradle, which was woven by Qashqa’i Kashkuli nomads during the early 20th century, had been lovingly woven by a tribal mother or grandmother for the impending arrival of the much-wanted baby or grandchild.
The cradle is woven in madder-red plain-weave technique with an abundance of knotted-pile deer or gazelle, stylised flower-heads and one, solitary, tiny, baby deer or gazelle.
I have never come across such an amazing, complete cradle in over 40 years of dealing in antique tribal rugs and weavings and that includes anything in my extensive collection of books showing weavings from private collections worldwide! Maybe there is another one out there somewhere!
Maybe one day too, a museum dedicated to the rugs and weavings of the Persian nomads will be established and where a weaving like this cradle will be on view, to show people how babies in nomadic life spent the first few years of their lives sleeping in cradles like this.
I thought of keeping it but have sadly nowhere to hang it. I hope it can go to a good home. The baby is excluded by the way!
I have priced it fairly according to condition and rarity and all I can say is, find another!
Size: 1.15 x 0.79m (3' 9" x 2' 7").
£2,500
Antique Dining Sofreh, Baluch Salar Khani Tribe, ...
Item Ref
BM2273
This beautiful dining sofreh has a plain-weave, natural camel-hair central field, decorated with stylised trees in brocaded technique. This central field is surrounded by two minor ivory borders and a wide main border in knotted-pile. The skirts or 'elems' are woven in long, horizontal bands of slit-tapestry weave, making this late 19th century dining rug a truly remarkable weaving. Please take a look at the two detail photos taken of the lower left and right corners of the camel-hair ground where you will see the weaver had originally planned to leave the border in plain-weave but then started to insert knotted-pile! Charming!
My thoughts on which Baluch tribe made this sofreh suggest the Salar Khani tribe who occupy parts of northern Khorassan province in north-eastern Persia.
Rare, very collectible and in near-mint condition.
Size: 1.45 x 0.76m (4' 9" x 2' 6").
My thoughts on which Baluch tribe made this sofreh suggest the Salar Khani tribe who occupy parts of northern Khorassan province in north-eastern Persia.
Rare, very collectible and in near-mint condition.
Size: 1.45 x 0.76m (4' 9" x 2' 6").
£2,500
Antique Kilim, Shirvan Region, Eastern Caucasus.
Item Ref
BM2263
A most attractive small-size kilim, woven in the region of Shirvan in the eastern Caucasus at the end of the 19th century. The natural colours are stunning with the design of 'birds-heads' lozenges dominating the field of the rug in horizontal bands. In excellent condition.
Size: 1.89 x 1.10m (6' 2" x 3' 7").
Size: 1.89 x 1.10m (6' 2" x 3' 7").
£2,500
Antique Soumak Carpet, Lesghi Region, South Daghestan, ...
Item Ref
BM2134
A most attractive Soumak carpet in very good overall condition with just a few minor repairs.
Woven in the Lesghi area of South Daghestan in the eastern Caucasus around 1900, the simple use of natural reds and blues makes for a handsome and decorative carpet.
Size: 3.80m x 2.20m (12' 6" x 7' 3")
Woven in the Lesghi area of South Daghestan in the eastern Caucasus around 1900, the simple use of natural reds and blues makes for a handsome and decorative carpet.
Size: 3.80m x 2.20m (12' 6" x 7' 3")
£2,500
Antique 'Moj', Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-West ...
Item Ref
BM2176
Illustrated in the 3rd edition of my book 'Tribal Rugs - Treasures of the Black Tent' on page 186, this beautiful 'Moj' (meaning 'wave') is a distinctive flat-woven cover, also referred to as 'jajim'. They were used in the black tents as bed covers and for covering the storage bags stacked around the circumference of the tent as can be seen in one of the photos attached.
Moj are woven in a technique referred to as balancedtwill-weave, made in two equal parts and then sewn together. The weaving process can be relatively quick, shared by two weavers and only taking several weeks to complete. Designs found in Moj consist of vertical stripes, concentric lozenges, chevrons and diagonal and rectangular lattices. The most exciting feature of the moj is the interplay of vegetable colours within the weave and it is this distinctive colour effect which gives this flat-weave its name.
This moj is a lovely small, square size whereas many are considerably larger in size.
Size: 1.83m x 1.70m (6' 0" x 5' 7").
Moj are woven in a technique referred to as balancedtwill-weave, made in two equal parts and then sewn together. The weaving process can be relatively quick, shared by two weavers and only taking several weeks to complete. Designs found in Moj consist of vertical stripes, concentric lozenges, chevrons and diagonal and rectangular lattices. The most exciting feature of the moj is the interplay of vegetable colours within the weave and it is this distinctive colour effect which gives this flat-weave its name.
This moj is a lovely small, square size whereas many are considerably larger in size.
Size: 1.83m x 1.70m (6' 0" x 5' 7").
£2,300
Antique Bread Sofreh, Afshar Nomads, Kerman Province, ...
Item Ref
BM/BUR
It might look modern but this stunning bread sofreh is nomadic woven art from circa 1900-1920.
These fabulous weavings were specifically made to knead dough and roll the dough into small balls before rolling each ball flat and then baking the bread on a hot plate as seen in the photo attached.
The weaver of these bread sofrehs was able to use her creative abilities to weave these remarkable artefacts and in this case, I see the symbolic representation of water in the 'zig-zag' pattern. Note the fabulous abrash in the natural madder-red where the weaver has skeins of mixed red-dye wool thus creating a wonderful movement in the ground. Also note the tiny 'zig-zag' pattern in the lower left border - maybe a signature of the weaver herself!
These dramatic sofrehs are some of my favourites and this is a truly great example of this lost art.
Size: 1.27m x 1.14m (4' 2" x 3' 9").
These fabulous weavings were specifically made to knead dough and roll the dough into small balls before rolling each ball flat and then baking the bread on a hot plate as seen in the photo attached.
The weaver of these bread sofrehs was able to use her creative abilities to weave these remarkable artefacts and in this case, I see the symbolic representation of water in the 'zig-zag' pattern. Note the fabulous abrash in the natural madder-red where the weaver has skeins of mixed red-dye wool thus creating a wonderful movement in the ground. Also note the tiny 'zig-zag' pattern in the lower left border - maybe a signature of the weaver herself!
These dramatic sofrehs are some of my favourites and this is a truly great example of this lost art.
Size: 1.27m x 1.14m (4' 2" x 3' 9").
£1,750
Antique Baluch Ru Korssi, Bahluli Tribe, South ...
Item Ref
BM/SJ1
Private Collection just acquired.
The 'ru korssi' was a flatweave cover made to decorate the top of the 'mangal' - a wooden frame in the centre of the tent, covered with blankets under which charcoal was burning and where the nomads would sit around with their feet tucked under the blankets, warming themselves.
This beautiful ru korssi was made around 1870-1880 by Bahluli Baluch tribes in southern Khorassan province, eastern Persia and has a plain-weave aubergine ground with symbols highlighted in magenta silk. The main border comprises a series of '8-pointed stars' symbolising protection in fine soumak-weave.
The ru korssi is in very good overall condition bar a minute stain just to the lower-right of the central symbol.
Size: 1.48 x 1.44m (4' 10" x 4' 9").
The 'ru korssi' was a flatweave cover made to decorate the top of the 'mangal' - a wooden frame in the centre of the tent, covered with blankets under which charcoal was burning and where the nomads would sit around with their feet tucked under the blankets, warming themselves.
This beautiful ru korssi was made around 1870-1880 by Bahluli Baluch tribes in southern Khorassan province, eastern Persia and has a plain-weave aubergine ground with symbols highlighted in magenta silk. The main border comprises a series of '8-pointed stars' symbolising protection in fine soumak-weave.
The ru korssi is in very good overall condition bar a minute stain just to the lower-right of the central symbol.
Size: 1.48 x 1.44m (4' 10" x 4' 9").
£1,750
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