Caravans, Covers and Containers

Bag Face
Iran, Khorassan Region (?), Kurdish Tribe,
19th Century
Wool, reverse soumak (weft-wrapping)
61 x 66 cm (24 x 26 in .), 66 x 68.6 cm (26 x 27 in.)
Marc Feldman Collection

The overall repeat design seen in this bag face is most commonly associated with the Turkmen. Although common wisdom would attribute this pair of bag faces to the Shahsevan tribe because of the technique employed and their size and shape, the design seen here is not recorded among the Shahsevan. It is more probable that these bag faces were produced by the Kurds of Khorasan province (northeastern Iran), where they were in close contact with the Turkmen.