Antique Tribal Bags and Bag Faces
       From the collection of Marla Mallett
Some of the most engaging tribal textile art from the Middle Eastern Oriental rug world appears in the form of saddlebags, storage sacks and bedding bags. The small scale of these items encouraged experimentation, and traditional nomadic weavers used a wide variety of patterning techniques including slit-tapestry, brocading, and intricate soumak. Go to Basic Weaves if you would like to read about the structures.  For a discussion of tribal bags, go to The Varieties of Tribal Bags and Panels

As nomads gradually settled into village life and turned to more standard Oriental pile rug production, the output of flatwoven ethnographic objects slowed dramatically. Recent fine examples are rare. When the backs of sacks and bags became badly worn, they commonly were removed and the lavishly ornamented faces kept as family heirlooms. Included in our gallery collection are unusual antique Anatolian bag faces.   

Click on the inventory numbers below to see full views of the pieces. Check out our Tribal Textiles and HOME pages for kilims and other gallery offerings. You may wish to take a look at Restoration Issues for a discussion of restoration and conservation questions, or read our essay  Criteria For Selecting Tribal Textiles.

Veramin Bag
Persia. Early 20th century
Wool .  30"x 26"
Weft-substitution, soumak, and
knotted pile
W-7488


Kazak Khorjin Pouch
Azerbaijan.  19th century
Wool.  18"x 15½"
Soumak
W-9632


Karabagh Khorjin Pouch
Azerbaijan.  19th century
Wool.  21"x 20"
Soumak
W-9630


Shahsevan Mafrash Panel
NW Persia. 19th century
Wool.  40"x 19"
Brocading
W-8456

Yuncu Ala Cuval
Northwest Anatolia
Circa 1900
Wool.  30½"x 51½"
Reciprocal brocading and
complimentary-weft weave
W-9156


Pair of Borchaliu Mafrash Panels
Georgia
Late 19th century
Wool and cotton
Soumak
W-6860
W-6861


Braided Bag
Afghanistan
Wool.  15"x 28"
Braided meshwork and tassels
W-9634


Yağcebedir Ala Cuval
NW Anatolia
Circa 1900
Wool.  30"x 45"
Reciprocal brocading and
slit tapestry
W-8376


Borchaliu Mafrash
Georgia.  Late 19th century
39"x 17½"x 15"
Wool and cotton.  Soumak
W-9158



Kutahya Yoruk Apron
Western Anatolia. !910-1920
Wool and cotton. 23½"x 50½"
Twill weave with brocading
W-8375
 


Shahsevan Mafrash
Mogan-Savalon area, North Persia
Wool.  44½"x 22"x 18"
Soumak
W-9024


Erzerum Yastik
NE Anatolia.  Late 19th century
Wool with white cotton.  18½"x 32"
Slit tapestry.
W-8298


Antep/Adana Cuval
South Central Anatolia. 19th century
Wool.  21"x 41"
Reciprocal brocading
W-923

Two Yomut Turkman Çuvals
Turkmenistan
Circa 1900
Wool.   47½"x 30" and 51"x 34"
Soumak, brocading, and slit tapestry
W-9125 and W-9152

Zaiane Cushion Cover
Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Circa 1900
Wool and cotton. 15"x 24"
Weft substitution weave
W-9638

Pair of Azeri Mafrash Panels
Azerbaijan
Late 19th century
Wool and cotton
Soumak
W-7491A
W-7491B


Malatya Cuval
Eastern Anatolia. 1890-1900
Wool and cotton.  35"x 29"
Slit tapestry
W-9001


Borchaliu Mafrash
Georgia.  Late 19th century
40"x 19"x 13½"
Wool and cotton
Soumak
W-9023
                    Continue:   Unrestored Collectibles:  Kilims and Bags
                                                    Anatolian Kilims
 

The Varieties of Tribal Bags and Panels

Tribal Textiles Main Page
   

Tribal Textiles
 HOME     
SITE INDEX     
How to Order 		MARLA MALLETT
1690 Johnson Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30306  USA

 Phone:  404-872-3356
E-mail:  marlam@mindspring.com