A KHAMSEH 'LEAF DESIGN' SINGLE BAG FACE, SOUTH PERSIA, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

A KHAMSEH 'LEAF DESIGN' SINGLE BAG FACE, SOUTH PERSIA, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

“The main field is dominated by four opposed curved leaves (although they could be crowned birds) in ivory on an indigo ground. A modified eight-pointed diamond-shaped device fills the central region of the bag. In the left and right edges of the central field there are rows of the usual hooked triangular ornaments. The main fillers in this bag face are small S shapes in a variety of colours although there are further pairs of curved leaves in various parts of the field. S shapes, this time framed in linked hexagons, form an inner border with the outer border consisting of the usual animal head meander in its geometric form on an ivory ground. Three guards consist of diagonal two-coloured bands. There is a double row of countered twining in alternating black and ivory at the bottom. The sides are a single cord overcast in brown wool. The knotting is symmetrical with the warp in natural ivory and the double wefts dyed in browny-red. The closure area and the back of the bag are missing.” (Benjamin, op.cit., p.104). Approximately 50 x 61cm

The Collection of Professor Paul R Benjamin
For an introduction to the collection, please see Lot 193 in this sale

LITERATURE:

Benjamin, Paul, South Persian Rugs, Bags and Saddle Covers: from the collection of Paul R Benjamin, 3rd ed., 2004, pp. 104-105

“This is a well-designed bag with an unusual contrast between the leaves and main border in ivory and the generally dark red and dark blue hue of the rest of the bag face. It could be considered as a modified Herati design.” (Benjamin, op.cit., p.104)