Antique Afshar Vanity-Bag, Qorab'i Tribe, Bardsir Region, ...
Item Ref
BM/AQ
Recently arrived from Iran, this extremely fine 'chanteh' or vanity-bag was made by the Afshar Qorab'i tribes in kerman Province, southern Persia circa 1900-1920. The knotted-pile face of the bag contains two large stylised 'botehs' or Zoarostrian flame symbols on a vivid indigo-blue ground. My belief is that the botehs are fertility symbols with the red boteh representing the female and the ivory boteh, the male. On either side of each boteh are trees-of-life symbols representing eternal life in Paradise. The back of this beautiful bag is woven in plain madder-red plainweave and the bag is finished with tassels on two sides and the bottom symbolising happiness.
Size: 52cm x 33cm (1' 9" x 1' 1").
Size: 52cm x 33cm (1' 9" x 1' 1").
£950
Antique Karachov Rug, South-Western Caucasus.
Item Ref
BM2134
This is an exceptional rug from the region of Karachov in the south-western Caucasus, dated 1275 which translates to 1854 - as early a Karachov as can be found these days.
The overall talismanic design is typically Karachov with its large octagonal, central lozenge, in this case on a red ground, and two, square symbols at each end, all containing nine '8-pointed stars'. Within the central, octagonal lozenge, are various small symbols on an ivory background, which is not something readily seen in later 19th century Karachovs. Note also, the 'zigzag' lines on either side of the red ground, one longer than the other and below each line, are 'fives' or 'quincunx' - symbols of protection.
Lastly but hugely important, is the rare and early main border on an ivory background, which I see as double-headed sunbirds, symbolic guardians of the gates of Paradise.
This is a highly important and very collectible rug which is smaller in size to the later 19th century Karachovs, and in very good overall condition.
Size: 1.86m x 1.40m (6' 1" x 4' 7").
The overall talismanic design is typically Karachov with its large octagonal, central lozenge, in this case on a red ground, and two, square symbols at each end, all containing nine '8-pointed stars'. Within the central, octagonal lozenge, are various small symbols on an ivory background, which is not something readily seen in later 19th century Karachovs. Note also, the 'zigzag' lines on either side of the red ground, one longer than the other and below each line, are 'fives' or 'quincunx' - symbols of protection.
Lastly but hugely important, is the rare and early main border on an ivory background, which I see as double-headed sunbirds, symbolic guardians of the gates of Paradise.
This is a highly important and very collectible rug which is smaller in size to the later 19th century Karachovs, and in very good overall condition.
Size: 1.86m x 1.40m (6' 1" x 4' 7").
£7,500
Antique Lesghi Rug, Lesghistan, Eastern Caucasus.
Item Ref
BM/MA
This beautiful little rug has three 'Lesghi stars' on a turquoise central field and is framed by five beautiful borders. Rugs made by Lesghians are more commonly found with red or blue central fields but to find turquoise, is rare. The rug, made at the end of the 19th century, is finely knotted and in very good condition albeit with a few very minor repairs on the selvedges.
Size: 1.42m x 1.04m (4' 8" x 3' 5").
Size: 1.42m x 1.04m (4' 8" x 3' 5").
£3,500
Antique Timuri Carpet, Sangtschuli Sub-Tribe, Borderlands of ...
Item Ref
BM2112
In near-mint condition, this fabulous Timuri rug has the highest quality soft, shiny wool with highlights of green silk throughout and complete kilim skirts at each end. The central 'tree-of-life' has branches protruding from it and surrounded by a multitude of symbols - stunning and subtle in its drawing. The madder-red main border depicts a continuous vine - symbolically representing the eternal cycle of life.
Made during the last quarter of the 19th century by Sangtschuli tribes on the eastern Persian/western Afghanistan border, it really needs to be seen and handled to fully appreciate the high quality of the work involved. Please look at the close-up photos to see the fabulous natural colours.
This is Timuri weaving at its best!
Size: 2.44m x 1.27m (8' 0" x 4' 2").
Made during the last quarter of the 19th century by Sangtschuli tribes on the eastern Persian/western Afghanistan border, it really needs to be seen and handled to fully appreciate the high quality of the work involved. Please look at the close-up photos to see the fabulous natural colours.
This is Timuri weaving at its best!
Size: 2.44m x 1.27m (8' 0" x 4' 2").
£4,300
Antique 'Tacheh' (wheat-sack). Luri - Bakhtiari Tribes, ...
Item Ref
BM2106
Wheat-sacks or 'tachehs' in Persian, were used, as the name implies, for containing wheat. Most antique tachehs today have been opened up in order to display and show the complete sack as it would have been made.
This is one of my favourites, found in Iran, and dating to the last quarter of the 19th century. Many antique tachehs are now few in number due to their hard use and then simply having been discarded.
These tachehs are what remains of pre-commercial utilitarian bags, made for the nomads own use and never intended for sale. Today, they are virtually gone although a few turn up from year to year.
What I love about this tacheh is the plain, natural-dye aubergine, knotted-pile bottle-shape in the centre of a simple plain-weave background. Tachehs like this one make spectacular wall-hangings and show a lost tribal art at its best on the wall.
Size: 97cm x 97cm (3' 2" x 3' 2").
This is one of my favourites, found in Iran, and dating to the last quarter of the 19th century. Many antique tachehs are now few in number due to their hard use and then simply having been discarded.
These tachehs are what remains of pre-commercial utilitarian bags, made for the nomads own use and never intended for sale. Today, they are virtually gone although a few turn up from year to year.
What I love about this tacheh is the plain, natural-dye aubergine, knotted-pile bottle-shape in the centre of a simple plain-weave background. Tachehs like this one make spectacular wall-hangings and show a lost tribal art at its best on the wall.
Size: 97cm x 97cm (3' 2" x 3' 2").
£975
Antique Vanity-Bag, Timuri Sangtschuli Tribe, Borderlands of ...
Item Ref
BM2027
This stunning, double-sided, small vanity-bag was woven by the Timuri Sangtschuli tribe at the end of the nineteenth century. It is in complete, excellent condition and woven in tight soumak technique with highlights of silk. This must have been a very special bag and highly-prized.
Size: 44cm x 48cm (1' 5" x 1' 7").
Size: 44cm x 48cm (1' 5" x 1' 7").
£950
Antique Half-Saddlebag, Qashqa'i Confederation, Ard Kapan Taifeh, ...
Item Ref
BM1979
The stylised 'scorpion' depicted on an attractive ivory central lozenge send a powerful message to live scorpions - keep off!! Whilst living with the Qashqa'i back in the early 1970s, I remember an elderly Qashqa'i woman explaining to me that weaving scorpions into their rugs and bags was to ward off live scorpions! I can say that sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't!!
This extremely attractive half saddle-bag was made by the Ard Kapan taifeh of the Qashqa'i confederation towards the end of the nineteenth century and is in excellent condition.
Size: 56cm x 56cm (1' 10" x 1' 10").
This extremely attractive half saddle-bag was made by the Ard Kapan taifeh of the Qashqa'i confederation towards the end of the nineteenth century and is in excellent condition.
Size: 56cm x 56cm (1' 10" x 1' 10").
£750
Antique Half-Saddlebag Face, Afshar Nomads of Aqta', ...
Item Ref
BM2083
This beautiful bag-face is an early example of Afshar work, dating to circa 1870 from Aqta' in the province of Kerman, south Persia. The golden-yellow main border is very interesting and one needs to look closely to see the depiction of two birds, opposing each other on either side of a stylised 'tree of life' on the top and bottom borders and on the side borders, camels opposing each other. These are popular symbols amongst the Afshar tribes. The field design seems to comprise a highly stylised lotus blossom amid vegetal patterns embellished with geometrical motifs but it might also stem from the open-winged eagle - an ancient Persian motif. Once part of a double saddle-bag, this face is all that remains. The superb, vegetable-dye colours are beautifully saturated and it is in very good pile all over.
Size: 61cm x 56cm (2' 0" x 1' 10").
Size: 61cm x 56cm (2' 0" x 1' 10").
£750
Antique 'Tacheh' (wheat-sack), Luri - Bakhtiari Tribes, ...
Item Ref
BM2015
Wheat-sacks or 'tacheh' as they are known in Persian, were used, as the name implies, for containing wheat - an important ingredient in the making of bread amongst the Persian nomadic tribes.
Antique tachehs like this one, which dates to circa 1900, are now rare as most have been used and abused and then literally thrown away. The nomads had no idea how collectable their everyday utilitarian weavings would become, otherwise I'm sure they would have preserved many of them.
With this tacheh, and all tachehs, the central bottle-shape is in knotted-pile over the plain-weave background, with a woven design filtering from the very top into the top of the knotted-pile section. I believe this symbolically represents the wheat being poured into the container and is thus, the bounty of God. One side of the plain-weave is generally more decorated than the other side. I believe this symbolically shows the bare earth on the right side and the growth of wheat on the left side.
This tacheh has been opened up for wall display purposes. These look amazing on the wall - woven works of tribal art!
Size: 1.06m x 0.97m (3' 6" x 3' 2").
Antique tachehs like this one, which dates to circa 1900, are now rare as most have been used and abused and then literally thrown away. The nomads had no idea how collectable their everyday utilitarian weavings would become, otherwise I'm sure they would have preserved many of them.
With this tacheh, and all tachehs, the central bottle-shape is in knotted-pile over the plain-weave background, with a woven design filtering from the very top into the top of the knotted-pile section. I believe this symbolically represents the wheat being poured into the container and is thus, the bounty of God. One side of the plain-weave is generally more decorated than the other side. I believe this symbolically shows the bare earth on the right side and the growth of wheat on the left side.
This tacheh has been opened up for wall display purposes. These look amazing on the wall - woven works of tribal art!
Size: 1.06m x 0.97m (3' 6" x 3' 2").
£850
Antique Storage-Bag, Sanjrani Nomads, Chagai Region, Baluchistan ...
Item Ref
BM2103
The bocaded weaving technique in this amazing storage-bag (takki) has the same design on both sides.
Made by the Sanjrani tribe in the Chagai region of Baluchistan during the early 20th century, this large bag retains its stunning braided tassels and the remains of cowry shells at the top opening of the bag.
In excellent condition.
Size: 71cm x 58cm (2' 4" x 2' 0").
Made by the Sanjrani tribe in the Chagai region of Baluchistan during the early 20th century, this large bag retains its stunning braided tassels and the remains of cowry shells at the top opening of the bag.
In excellent condition.
Size: 71cm x 58cm (2' 4" x 2' 0").
£575
Antique Half-Saddlebag, Shahsevan Tribes, Moghan Region, Azerbaijan. ...
Item Ref
BM/SH1
This striking half-saddlebag was woven in fine, slit-tapestry technique, often described as simply 'kilim weave', with a wonderful array of natural colours and a powerful depiction of two large ivory hexagons on a deep, indigo-blue ground.
Woven by Shahsevan tribes around the second half of the 19th century, the back comprises narrow horizontal bands of all the colours used in the face.
Size: 57cm x 46cm (1' 10" x 1' 6").
Woven by Shahsevan tribes around the second half of the 19th century, the back comprises narrow horizontal bands of all the colours used in the face.
Size: 57cm x 46cm (1' 10" x 1' 6").
£750
Antique Prayer-Rug, Gendje, Eastern Caucasus.
Item Ref
BM2094
Gendje, known as Elizabethpol under the Tzars, but today, known as Kirovabad. It is situated between the Caucasian weaving areas of Kazak, Karabagh and Shirvan.
This beautiful little Gendje prayer-rug has a few 'typical' Gendje featurs such as the diagonal motifs in the field and the interesting main border design with its conjoined octagons. The colours in the main border are simply stunning as is the very unusual, relatively plain mihrab in ivory.
Made circa 1880, the rug is in good overall condition, albeit with evenly-low pile and a few minor reweaves.
Size: 1.45m x 0.82m (4' 9" x 2' 8").
This beautiful little Gendje prayer-rug has a few 'typical' Gendje featurs such as the diagonal motifs in the field and the interesting main border design with its conjoined octagons. The colours in the main border are simply stunning as is the very unusual, relatively plain mihrab in ivory.
Made circa 1880, the rug is in good overall condition, albeit with evenly-low pile and a few minor reweaves.
Size: 1.45m x 0.82m (4' 9" x 2' 8").
£2,800
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