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There are quite a number
of small double bags woven by Azarbayjani or Transcaucasian nomad
women using warp-faced, weft-faced, or balanced plainweave grounds
decorated sparsely with floral forms, boteh, horned animals, or
small devices borrowed from weft-faced slit-tapestry, as in this
example. They are often quite finely woven and may have been used
for any number of purposes. One Iranian with much field experience
has described them to me as “shepherd’s lunchbags”.
Bags of this type are often quite delicate, and can be easily
damaged. This example is complete, with original closure loops and
side closures ("joins"), and is in very good condition. The holes
through which its closure loops pass are reinforced with
machine-spun cotton, perhaps a later addition. The slit in the
center of the back may be original, but its edges are rebound with
newer wool. A minority of such small double bags has similar slits,
which may have been intended to accommodate a saddle pommel.
Usually, these slits are not reinforced with extra binding.
RET
Note: For more information on small Azarbayjani
nomad bags, see Tanavoli, P., Shahsavan: Iranian Rugs and Textiles,
London, 1985, Fribourg, Switzerland, plates 188-191, 210-213.
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