John Wertime on Small and Miniature Weavings from Central and Southern Iran

On June 24, 2017, John Wertime,

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who, most readers will know is a long-time, close student of textiles, gave a Rug and Textile Appreciation Morning program here at the Textile Museum in Washington, D.C.  John is, also, an author and one-time dealer. 

John was, in this session, speaking to an array of “Small and Miniature Weavings from Central and Southern Iran.”

John prefaced his examination of these weavings by saying they interest him, in part, because they show the skill of their weavers as they composed designs and used color (even sometimes texture) in sharply restricted space.

He cautioned that accurate attribution of these small pieces is unlikely, and that many of them could have been woven by different weavers in various locations in central and southern Iran.  He said that he would treat these pieces in groups with similar structures

He moved to treat the pieces themselves.

Note: John has couched his comments in capitals.

(We have provided measurements when we have them.)

1

27 x 20½ inches (68 x 51 cm)

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Comment on 1: 

BEDDING BAG SIDE PANEL(?); POSSIBLY BAKHTIYARI; SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE: AN OLD &  RARE WEAVING WITH LOVELY COLORS AND DESIGN THAT REMIND ME OF BAKHTIYARI WORK.

2 (face only)

40 x 38  inches (102 x 95 cm)

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Comment on 2: 

SMALL KILIM OR SOFREH; QASHQA’I; SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE: A COLORFUL AND SOPHISTICATED TAPESTRY IN UNUSUAL DIMENSIONS.

3 (face only)

21 x 17 inches (54 x 45 cm)

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Comment on 3: 

VERY SMALL KILIM USED AS A SOFREH OR SOME KIND OF PRAYER CLOTH; QASHQA’I; SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE, RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE STRIPES; A MINIATURE MASTERPIECE!

4 (face only)

22½ x 19 inches (57 x 49 cm)

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Comment on 4: 

VERY SMALL KILIM USED AS A SOFREH OR SOME KIND OF PRAYER CLOTH; QASHQA’I; SLIT TAPESTRY & DOVETAILED TAPESTRY WEAVE, RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE STRIPES; A MINIATURE MASTERPIECE!

5 (face only)

37 x 28 inches (94 x 70 cm)

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6

Detail of the back of 5 showing the kind of tapestry used that permits long vertical color changes without slits.

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Comment on 5 and 6: 

SMALL, MULTIPURPOSE KILIM KNOWN AS SHUSHTARI; WEAVER PROBABLY BAKHTIYARI IN ORIGIN; DOUBLE INTER-LOCKED TAPESTRY WEAVE; A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF A DISTINCTIVE TYPE OF KILIM WEAVING, DONE IN THE SHUSHTAR AREA OF KHUZESTAN IN SW IRAN. 

7

8 x 9 inches (20 x 23 cm)

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8 (back of 7)

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Comment on 7 and 8: 

MULTIPURPOSE CHANTEH (SMALL SINGLE BAG); VARAMIN AREA; FRONT: WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE WITH WEFT SUBSTITUTION; BACK: STRIPES IN PLAIN WEAVE & WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE WITH WEFT SUBSTITUTION: STRIKING DESIGN OF POSITIVE & NEGATIVE SPACES.

9

 

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10 (back of 9)

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Comment on 9 and 10: 

MULTIPURPOSE CHANTEH WITH LONG BRAIDS AND TASSELS; QASHQA’I; WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE WITH WEFT SUBSTITUTION; BACK: SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE WITH STRIPE IN WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE WITH STRIPE IN WEFT-FACE PLAIN WEAVE WITH  WEFT SUBSTITUTION; ONE OF MANY QASHQA’I BACKS WITH STRIKING MINIMALIST DECORATION.

 

11 (face only)

10½ x 10 inches (28 x 26 cm)

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Comment on 11: 

MULTIPURPOSE CHANTEH WITH LONG BRAIDS AND TASSELS; QASHQA’I; WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE WITH WEFT SUBSTITUTION.

 

12 (face only)

6 x 6½ inches (14 x 17 cm)

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Comment on 12: 

MULTIPURPOSE CHANTEH; QASHQA’I; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND PATTERNED BY WEFT FLOAT BROCADING; STYLIZED BOTEHS.

13

42 x 23 inches (106 x 58 cm)

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14 (back of 13)

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Comment on 13 and 14: 

FRONT: SADDLEBAG (KHORJIN); QASHQA’I;  PLAIN WEAVE GROUND PATTERNED BY WEFT FLOAT BROCADING; STYLIZED BOTEHS IN DIAGONAL ALIGNMENT CREATE A DYNAMIC EFFECT ON A BAG MADE OF SUPERB WOOL; BACK; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND PATTERNED BY WEFT FLOAT BROCADING

15

15. 16½ x 13 inches (42 x 33 cm)

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Comment on 15: 

MULTIPURPOSE CHANTEH; PROBABLY QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE & PLAIN WEAVE GROUND PATTERNED BY WEFT FLOAT BROCADING.

16

4½ x 4½ inches (12 x 12 cm)

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17 (Back of 16)

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Comments 16 and 17: 

TINY MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG; QASHQA’I; WARP-FACED ALTERNATING FLOAT WEAVE ON FRONT AND BACK; ONE OF THE SMALLEST EXAMPLES OF A COMMON TYPE OF CONTAINER IN TWO COLORS MADE BY THE QASHQA’IS.

18

6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm)

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19 (back of 18)

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Comments on 18 and 19: 

TINY MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG; QASHQA’I; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND WITH PATTERNING IN SUMAK (EXTRA WEFT WRAPPING) ON FRONT & BACK; A CHARMING RENDITION OF THE PEACOCK MOTIF MAKES THIS A MINIATURE MASTERPIECE!

20

8 x 9 inches (20 x 22 cm)

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21 (back of 20)

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Comments on 20 and 21: 

TINY MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG; QASHQA’I; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND WITH PATTERNING IN SUMAK (EXTRA WEFT WRAPPING) ON FRONT & BACK; A CHARMING RENDITION OF A COMMONLY SEEN ANIMAL MOTIF ON A COTTON GROUND WITH A SKILLFULLY DESIGNED BACK MAKES THIS A RARE PIECE.

 

22

22 x 10 inches (52 x 25 cm)

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Comment on 22:  Howe: A particular thing to notice about the next two pieces that they are south Persian bags made by folding over a weaving along a vertical or horizontal axis.  Such pieces are sometimes be suspected of being “constructed” (that is cut down from a larger textile).  But in these two cases they were originally made in this folded way.

Here is John Wertime’s comment on 22: 

MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG FOLDED OVER  ALONG THE VERTICAL AXIS AND BOUND ON ALL SIDES WITH GOAT HAIR; BAKHTIYARI; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND WITH PATTERNING IN SUMAK ON FRONT & BACK; GOAT HAIR BINDING ON THREE SIDES. 

 

23 (face only)

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Comment on 23: 

MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG FOLDED OVER  ALONG THE HORIZONTAL AXIS AND BOUND ON THE SIDES WITH GOAT HAIR; LORI/BAKHTIYARI; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND WITH PATTERNING IN SUMAK ON FRONT & BACK WITH A STRIP OF SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE A THE BOTTOM; THE PILE STRIP AT THE BOTTOM IS A VERY COMMON FEATURE OF CONTAINERS MADE BY THE LORS AND BAKHTIYARIS; OVERCASTING IN GOAT HAIR.

24

15½/22½ x 7 ½ /19 inches (40/57 x 19/49 cm)

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Comment on 24:

MULTIPURPOSE CONTAINER FOR SALT & OTHER MATERIALS; LORI/BAKHTIYARI; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND WITH PATTERNING IN SUMAK WITH A STRIP OF SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE A THE BOTTOM; PROMINENT USE OF COTTON; OVERCASTING IN GOAT HAIR. 

25

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26 (back of 25)

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Comment on 25 and 26: 

MULTIPURPOSE BAG WITH LONG  BRAIDS AND TASSELS; QASHQA’I; PLAIN WEAVE GROUND WITH PATTERNING IN SUMAK ON FRONT & BACK; PEACOCKS AND OTHER ANIMALS DECORATE THE FRONT & ANIMALS THE BACK IN A MOST CHARMING WORK OF NOMAD ART.

27

19 x 8½ inches (49 x 21 cm)

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28 (back of 27)

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Comments on 27 and 28: 

SMALL KHORJIN; SHAHSEVAN OF THE BIJAR AREA; WARP-FACED PLAIN WEAVE PATTERNED BY REVERSE SUMAK; BAGS LIKE THIS ARE FAIRLY RARE.

29

176 x 3 inches (448 x 8 cm)

Across the top of the front board and coming down its sides was a luxurious tent band in seeming perfect condition.

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Here is a closer, comprehensive view of 29. (color differences are due to different cameras and lighting)

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And here are some further details of 29.

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Comments on 29: 

DECORATIVE BAND; QASHQA’I; WARP-FACED PLAIN WEAVE. PATTERNED BY SYMMETRICAL PILE; A MASTERPIECE OF NOMAD ART IN COLOR, MATERIAL, AND DESIGN, THIS BAND DEPICTS THE WOMEN OF THE TRIBE, THE WEAVERS AND PRINCIPAL SUSTAINERS OF NOMADIC LIFE, AND VARIOUS MOTIFS THAT DECORATE THEIR WOVEN ART IN RELIEF AGAINST A GORGEOUS DARK BLUE GROUND KNOWN AS “SORME’I” IN PERSIAN.

30

5½ x 5 inches (14 x 13 cm)

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Comments on 30: 

TINY MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG; QASHQA’I; SUMAK WITH STRIPES OF RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE AT TOP & BOTTOM.

 

31

8½ x 9 inches (22 x 23 cm)

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32 (back of 31)

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Comment on 31 and 32: 

TINY MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG; QASHQA’I; SUMAK WITH STRIPES OF RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE AT TOP; BACK: SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE; THESE SMALL BAGS FEATURING THE STAR MOTIF ARE SELDOM FOUND AND ARE TREASURED BY COLLECTORS.

33

11½ x 11 inches (30 x 28 cm)

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Comment on W33: 

SMALL MULTIPURPOSE CHANTEH; QASHQA’I; SUMAK WITH A STRIPE OF RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE AT TOP; UNDYED COTTON MAKES A DRAMATIC GROUND FOR THE UNDULATING BORDER WITH ANIMAL HEAD MOTIFS. 

34

5 x 6 inches (12 x 15 cm)

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(back of 34)

 

Comment on 34: 

TINY MULTIPURPOSE SINGLE BAG; QASHQA’I; FRONT: SUMAK; BACK: SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE.

 

35

17/24 x 6½/20 inches (43/60 x 17/50 cm)

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36 (back of 35)

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Comments on 35 and 36: 

SALT BAG; AFSHAR, KERMAN; SUMAK ON FRONT & BACK; A COMMONLY SEEN DESIGN IN AFSHAR BAGS THAT FEATURES A DYNAMIC INTERPLAY OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE!

 

37

19/27 x 9½/26½ inches (50/69 x 24/68 cm)

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38 (back of 37)

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39 (detail of 37)

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Comment on 37, 38 and 39 detail: 

LARGE SALT BAG; AFSHAR, KERMAN; SUMAK ON THE FRONT AND WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE ON THE BACK; CAREFULLY WORKED SUMAK TO RECREATE A COMMON COMPOSITION IN PILE BAGS IN SOUTHERN IRAN; THE OVERCASTING OF THE SIDES AND THE CLOSURE PANEL AT THE MOUTH ARE DONE IN THE BEST AFSHAR FASHION; A RARE PIECE, INDEED!

40

18/26 x 9½/20½ inches (46/66 x 25/53 cm)

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Comment on 40: 

SALT BAG; BAKHTIYARI; SUMAK; THIS BEAUTIFUL COMPOSITION OF TULIPS IN A GARDEN-LIKE SETTING IS AMONG THE MOST APPEALING OF ALL BAKHTIYARI CREATIONS AMONG SUMAK BAGS!

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Comment on W41:

SALT BAG; BAKHTIYARI; SUMAK  WITH PILE AT THE BOTTOM.

 

42 (face only)

25 x 17½ inches (64 x 45 cm)

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Comment on W42: 

SMALL MAT; AFSHAR, KERMAN; SUMAK; A DYNAMIC DESIGN IN A SELDOM SEEN VERTICAL COMPOSITION MAKES THIS A RARE AND EXCEPTIONAL WORK OF NOMAD ART.

43 (face only)

45 x 35 inches (113 x 88 cm)

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Comment on 43: 

MAT; AFSHAR, KERMAN; SUMAK WITH PANELS OF WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM; ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL AFSHAR SUMAK WEAVING!

44

19½ x 13 inches (50 x 33 cm)

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45 (back of 44)

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Comment on 44 and 45: 

MULTIPURPOSE BAG; QASHQA’I; SUMAK ON THE FRONT AND RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE ON THE BACK; A VERY TIGHT WEAVE AND HIGHLY GLOSSY WOOL WITH A DYNAMIC REPEATING “TWO-HEADED BIRD” DESIGN, IN THIS RARE QASHQA’I WEAVING, CREATE A HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE TEXTILE.

46

(face only)

1’3” x 1’5”

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Comment on 46: 

SMALL BAG FACE; QASHQA’I; REVERSE SUMAK;  THIS MASTERPIECE OF QASHQA’I WEAVING SHOWS THE CONNECTION OF THE TURKIC TRIBES OF SOUTH PERSIA WITH THOSE OF THE NORTHWEST WHO WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TRANSCAUCASIAN WAVING CULTURE.

 

47

4′ x 2’2″

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48 (back of 47)

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Comment on 47 and 48:

SADDLEBAG; QASHQA’I; REVERSE SUMAK ON THE FRONT AND WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE ON THE BACK; THIS MASTERPIECE WAS INCLUDED IN THE SEMINAL CATALOGUE “FROM THE BOSPORUS TO SAMARKAND” PUBLISHED BY THE TEXTILE MUSEUM IN 1969. IT IS PERHAPS THE MOST OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE TO SURFACE TO DATE. THE BEAUTIFUL CLOSURE PANEL IN RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE IS A SIGN OF THE CARE AND IMPORTANCE SUCH WEAVINGS HAD FOR THEIR CREATORS & USERS; THE PLAIN ABASHED BACK IS BEAUTIFUL IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

The next piece was a band-trapping.

49

24½ x 5 inches (60 x 13 cm)

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Comment on 49:

ANIMAL TRAPPING; VARAMIN AREA (?); SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE WITH LONG BRAIDS AND TASSELS; THIS AND NO. 50, BELOW, MAY HAVE BEEN USED AS A DECORATION AROUND THE NECK OF A PACK ANIMAL

50

(another band)

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Comment on 50:

ANIMAL TRAPPING; VARAMIN AREA (?); SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE.

 

51 (face only)

19 x 16 inches (47 x 40 cm)

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Comment on 51:

SAMPLER; QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; SAMPLERS WERE WOVEN TO HELP GUIDE WEAVERS, EITHER LEARNING THE CRAFT, OR AS A WAY TO HELP PROSPECTIVE BUYERS. 

52

8 x 8½ inches (21 x 22 cm)

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Comment on W52:

CHANTEH; SOUTHERN IRAN, POSSIBLY QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE.

53

11 x 10 inches (28 x 25 cm)

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(back of 53)

 

Comment on 53:

CHANTEH; SOUTHERN IRAN, POSSIBLY QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE ON FRONT & WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE ON THE BACK. 

54 (face only)

23 ½ x 23 inches (60 x 58 cm)

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Comment on 54:

BAG FACE; QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF THE MOST COMMON COMPOSITION AMONG THOSE WHO WOVE IN THE QASHQA’I TRADITION.

 

55

12 x 13 inches (31 x 33 cm)

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Comment on 55:

CHANTEH; QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; A FINELY WOVEN OLD EXAMPLE OF QASHQA’I WEAVING.

56

19 x 10 inches (48 x 25 cm)

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Comments on 56:

SMALL KHORJIN; SOUTH PERSIA; SYMMETRICAL PILE.

 

57 (face only)

9 x 10 inches (22 x 26 cm)

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Comment on 57:

SMALL CHANTEH FACE; SOUTH PERSIA; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; FINELY WOVEN WITH SOFT LUSTROUS WOOL AND SATURATED COLOR.

58

13 x 8 inches (33 x 20 cm)

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Comment on 58:

SMALL CHANTEH OPENED UP; SOUTH PERSIA; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE AND WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE BACK; FINELY WOVEN WITH SOFT LUSTROUS WOOL AND SATURATED COLOR.

 

59

10½ x 10 inches (26 x 25 cm)

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60 (back of 59)

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Comment on 59 and 60:

CHANTEH; QASHQA’I, SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE ON THE FRONT, AND WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE & A STRIPE OF RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE ON THE BEAUTIFULLY STRIPED & FINELY WOVEN BACK; THE VERTICAL DESIGN CALLED “MOHARRAMATI” IS SEEN IN A NUMBER OF PILE WEAVINGS OF VARIOUS SIZES AMONG THE QASHQA’I.

61

11½ x 11 inches (29 x 28 cm)

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Comment on 61:

CHANTEH; QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE.

62

22 x 11 inches (56 x 28 cm)

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Comment on 62:

CHANTEH OPENED UP; QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE IN THE FRONT & SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE WITH STRIPES OF RECIPROCAL WEFT WEAVE ON THE MINIMALIST BACK, A TYPICAL & BEAUTIFUL WAY THE QASHQA’I WEAVERS FINISHED THE BACKS OF MANY OF THEIR BAGS.

63

12½ x 13½ inches (31 x 34 cm)

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Comment on 63:

CHANTEH; QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; A NICE RENDITION OF A POPULAR MOTIF AMONG QASHQA’I WEAVERS.

64

17 x 7½ inches (43 x 18 cm)

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65 (back of 64)

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Comments on 64 and 65:

SMALL KHORJIN, QASHQA’I; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE ON THE FRONT AND SLIT TAPESTRY WEAVE ON THE BACK; IT IS RARE TO FIND ENTIRELY DIFFERENT DESIGNS ON THE TWO HALVES OF A KHORJIN, AS SEEN HERE.

 

66

8 x 9½ inches (20 x 24 cm)

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Comments on 66:

TINY BAG; AFSHAR, KERMAN; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE WITH BRAIDS AND TASSELS ATTACHED; THE BOTEH SEEN HERE IS IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE KHORJIN OF NO. 67 BELOW.

 

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Comment on 67:

KHORJIN; AFSHAR, KERMAN; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE.

68

11½ x 10 inches (29 x 26 cm)

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Comment on 68:

CHANTEH; SOUTH PERSIA; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; LONG PILE THAT CONTRASTS WITH THE USUAL SHORT PILE FOUND IN MOST CHANTEHS.

 

69 (face only)

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Comment on 69:

SALT BAG FACE; ARABS OF FARS; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; THE CHICKEN MOTIF SEEN HERE WAS WIDELY USED IN SOUTH PERSIAN NOMAD AND VILLAGE WEAVINGS; ITS OCCURRENCE IN A SALT BAG IS RARE

70

32 x 12 inches (82 x 32 cm)

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Comment on 70:

SMALL KHORJIN; AFSHAR, KERMAN; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED DPILE WITH SLIT TAPESTRY BRIDGE; THE DYNAMIC FLAT-WOVEN BRIDGE MAKES THIS PIECE!

71 (face only)

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Comment on 71:

BAGFACE; AFSHAR? SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; A RARE AND UNUSUAL WEAVING THAT IS BORDER DOMINATED!

72

25 x 9 inches (64 x 23 cm)

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Comment on 72:

SMALL KHORJIN; KURDISH, SOUTH TO WESTERN CENTRAL PERSIA? SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; A DESIGN SEEN IN A NUMBER OF WEAVING CULTURES IN IRAN, IT DOMINATES THE FIELD IN A RATHER LONG PILE.

73

19½ x 23 inches (50 x 58 cm)

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Comment on 73:

KHORJIN HALF; AFSHAR , KERMAN; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; A MASTERFUL WEAVING WITH GREAT WOOL AND CLARITY OF DESIGN THAT IS OFTEN FOUND IN AFSHAR PILE RUGS AND BAGS;

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ITS CLOSURE PANEL AT THE TOP IS A TOUR DE FORCE IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

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74

17 x 21½ inches (44 x 55 cm)

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Comment on 74:

KHORJIN HALF; AFSHAR , KERMAN; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; ANOTHER  MASTERFUL WEAVING WITH GREAT WOOL AND DESIGN THAT IS OFTEN FOUND IN AFSHAR PILE RUGS AND BAGS;

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AS WITH 73, 74’s CLOSURE PANEL, AT THE TOP, IS A TOUR DE FORCE IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

75

13½ x 11½ inches (35 x 29 cm)

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Back of 75.

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Comment on 75:CHANTEH; SOUTH PERSIA?; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; THE LONG FORMAT IS SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL.

76

12½/19 x 10/17 inches (32/48 x 25/43 cm)

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77 (back of 76)

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Comment on 76 and 77: SALT BAG; KURDISH, WESTERN CENTRAL PERSIA?; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE ON THE FRONT & WEFT-FACED PLAIN WEAVE ON THE BACK

78 (face only)

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Comment on 78:

CHANTEH; BAKHTIYARI?; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE.

 

79

37 x 49 inches (95 x 124 cm)

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Comment on 79:

SMALL RUG; BAKHTIYARI; SYMMETRICALLY KNOTTED PILE; THE FORMAT OF THIS UNUSUALLY SHAPED RUG, THE WONDERFUL COLOR, INCLUDING A CLEAR PURPLE, & BOLD DESIGN, MAKE THIS A MOST ATTRACTIVE & COMPELLING WORK OF TEXTILE ART.

John answered questions,

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and brought his program to a close.

People began to move forward to get closer looks at these small pieces.  Conversations started up.

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Our two volunteer helpers Tom Kluwin and Nancy Wynn. Our thanks.

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I want to thank John Wertime for giving the program and for his considerable contribution to the constructing of this virtual version of it. 

Thanks too, to the two collectors (who wish to be anonymous) from whose collection a large majority of this material was drawn.  They also contributed, importantly, to this post.

Wertime, Marsha Swiss, Ron Costell, Bruce Baganz, Aija Blitte, Jim Henderson, Michael Kaplan and Wendel Swan took and contributed images.

I hope you have enjoyed this extensive look at some middle and southern Persian bags constructed on a smaller scale.

Regards,

R. John Howe