Salt Bag

Unknown

ca. 1920 · Wool (warp, ground weft, sumak weft, and pile), cotton (white sumak weft and white pile), and goat(?) hair (side finishes); sumak extra-weft wrapping (front); symmetrically knotted pile (bottom edge); weft-faced plain weave with pattern in sumak extra-weft wrapping (back); wrapped warp tassels · Islamic Art

Four different techniques were used in this narrow-necked salt bag, demonstrating the mastery of the weaver. As is typical of Bakhtiari weavings, the bottom is reinforced with pile. The front features a symmetrical composition of stylized flowers and trees, evoking Bakhtiari garden motifs. The back is decorated as well, rendering this small bag even more exquisite, combining sumak extra weft wrapping and tapestry weave (kilim).The tassels were made as a continuation of the warps, probably to be used as handles.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1920

Medium

Wool (warp, ground weft, sumak weft, and pile), cotton (white sumak weft and white pile), and goat(?) hair (side finishes); sumak extra-weft wrapping (front); symmetrically knotted pile (bottom edge); weft-faced plain weave with pattern in sumak extra-weft wrapping (back); wrapped warp tassels

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Inger G. and William B. Ginsberg, 2015