ca. 1825-75
Shahsevan tribe, Khamseh Region district,
Iran
Iran
Object qualities
-
Object
-
Type of arts & crafts
-
MediumWool (warp, ground weft, and sumak weft); sumak extra-weft wrapping with two-color chaining
-
SizeH. 29 in. (73.7 cm) W. 32 1/4 in (81.9 cm)
-
Geography detailsFrom
Shahsevan tribe, Khamseh Region district,
Iran -
Country today
-
Dateca. 1825-75
Source of information
-
Type of sourceDatabase “Metropolitan Museum of Art”
-
Fund that the source refers toMetropolitan Museum of Art
Description
-
The central diamond design on this double saddlebag is common in sumak weavings from the Shahsevan tribe, and the border motif, an ancient tribal symbol, is characteristic of weavings by tribal members in the Khamseh region (south of the Caspian Sea). Sometimes referenced as the “two-headed bird,” because of the suggestion of heads with eyes facing opposite directions, the border pattern was reproduced with many variations. Here, the repeating motif features mini crosses for the eyes. A more elaborate cross motif decorates the central lozenge.