The New
England
Rug Society
Presents An
ACOR 8
Exhibit

 

"Baluch" from the
 Collection of Mark Hopkins



 




Exhibit Notes
and Model

Acknowledgments

Tech Notes





 

An Introduction to the Exhibition
by Mark Hopkins

Often disdained as drab in contrast to the more colorful legions of ethnographic pile weavings, “Baluch” artistry is nevertheless noteworthy for both the skillful subtlety of its colors and the bold creativity of its forms and motifs.  Here we share some examples of that with you.

All of these pieces originate from either northeastern Iran or northwestern Afghanistan.  None, despite the claims of early writers in the field, comes from the Baluchistan region of Pakistan, where weavers do not produce pile weavings. 

Some of these pieces are truly from Baluch weavers; others are from nomadic and settled groups weaving “in the Baluch tradition.”  Much has been said about the tribal groups responsible for these weavings; the contributions of D.H.G. Wegner, Siawosch Azadi, Jerry Anderson, Michael Craycraft and other worthies have bequeathed the rug world with a dazzling array of tribal nomenclature, the precision of which, owing to a general lack of agreement, is not particularly convincing.  So while others bandy about such mouthfuls as Taimani, Timuri, Jamshidi, Bahluli and Yacubkhani, I preserve my sanity by thinking of them all as Damdifinoni and concentrating instead on the wonderful textile art that they – whoever they are -- have bequeathed us.

The age of these rugs is also subject to much speculation, simply because we have so little to go on.  I suspect half or more are from the 20th Century and a few may precede 1850.  But as you will note in the captions, no guesses are ventured here.

This is visual art that thrives, in or out of context, on its own merits.  Its colors, its forms, and its integration of the two into wonderful creations, are simply here to be savored.  So enjoy.

MH



 



Online Exhibition:

Copyright © 2007
New England
 Rug Society
All Rights Reserved

"Baluch" from the
Collection of Mark Hopkins