A KHAMSEH 'PALMETTE' BAG FACE, SOUTH PERSIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY

A KHAMSEH 'PALMETTE' BAG FACE, SOUTH PERSIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY

“Three horizontal rows of simplified palmettes in various colours dominate the central field with a number of geometrical forms in alternating rows that could be modified cloud bands or dragon and phoenix. A few of the usual fillers are also present on the dark blue ground. The typical alternating bird and tree pattern in various colours on an ivory ground form the single main border although there is additional border restricted to the bottom of the bag face consisting of alternating brown and ivory diagonal bands. The guards consist of reciprocal dark brown and red triangles. The closure area is in chevron weft twill, each slit panel in a variable two-colour pattern. There are adjacent borders to the slit panels in the same weave and four guards in brown and ivory weft twining. The bottom end of the bag is finished in kelim. The sides are overcast in red (original?). The knots are symmetrical, the warps in natural light brown wool, the wefts in dyed red wool in two shoots. The back of the bag is missing.” (Benjamin, op.cit., p.106). Approximately 63 x 58cm

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. 106-107

“There are several similar types illustrated in the literature (eg plate 43, Woven Gardens ed. by Black, D. and Loveless, C., David Black Carpets, London, 1979; Sotheby’s New York, Auction Catalogue, Fine Oriental and European Carpets, Lot 64, December 15th, 1994).” (Benjamin, op.cit., p.106)