Caravans, Covers and Containers

Bag Face
Iran, Khamsah Tribe,
19th Century, Wool
71 x 61 cm (28 x 24 in.)
Marc Feldman Collection

The Khamseh is a confederation of five tribes formed in the 1860s in southern Iran as a counterbalance to the Qashqai, whose weavings can also be seen in this section. Certain scholars would attribute weavings such as this one, with its rhythmic diagonal rows of bird motifs, to the Baharlu tribe of the Khamseh confederation. This is uncertain, since this tribe, once known for its fine weaving, has produced little of significance over the past seventy-five years.