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Despite all that has been
written about this major pile weaving group that inhabits the stark
lands of northeastern Iran and western Afghanistan, the tribal
affiliations of the weavers described by the catch-all term "Baluch"
still remain somewhat open to question. But such mystery in no way
discourages the fascination that so many have for these dark and
mysterious weavings created by the region's nomadic and village
women. The "birds" in these two pieces represent one of the
signature motifs found in their rugs and transport bags. What they
are is yet to be resolved. Some claim they are roosters, said to be
an important tribal symbol. Others call them peacocks. Whatever they
are, their drawing varies only slightly from one piece to the next.
The use of color and placement within the weaving, however, can vary
widely.
The "bird" motif is found mostly on khorjin, occasionally in rugs
and eating cloths (sofreh), and almost never in balisht or pillow
sacks. These two pieces represent a departure from the normally
presented arrays of birds predictably stacked in rows or columns.
The khorjin at the top features only four of them in a highly
formalized arrangement with each inhabiting its own compartment. The
khorjin face below it offers a far looser interpretation, with the
birds traversing the stage in flowing fashion, heads looking both
ways, with latecomers appearing to emerge from below. The glowing
blues, reds and ambers of both pieces, scattered with tiny sparkles
of white, contrast sharply with most "bird" khorjins, which tend to
be on the dark, dull side with more rigid, static designs.
MH
22a - Published:
Bailey, J. & Hopkins, M.,
Through the Collector's Eye - Oriental Rugs
from New England Private Collections, 1991. p. 100, pl. 38. |
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Structural Data (22a): |
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Size:
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1’ 9” x 2’ 1” (53 x 63 cm.)
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Front |
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Warp:
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Ivory/ivory wool, Z2S
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Weft:
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Light brown hair, Z2 lightly spun
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Pile:
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Asymmetrical, open left, Z2S; 9h x 12v = 72kpsi
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Selvage:
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Plain selvage
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Ends: |
TOP: becomes plain
weave back
BOTTOM: Weft-faced plain weave of dark brown wool, Z2S; with a band
of decorative weft substitution weave using white, red and brown
wool, Z2S; which is bordered top and bottom with two rows of 2:2
weft substitution weave using blue and red wool, Z2S. Remnants of
weft-faced plain weave closure panel. |
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Join |
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Plait stitch using dark brown hair, Z2S. |
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Back |
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Weft-faced plain weave, wool, Z2S, 24 per
vertical inch, with small decorative segments of slit tapestry weave
creating ‘feet’ pattern; with stripes of weft substitution weave
using white, red and brown wool, Z2S. |
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Structural Data (22b): |
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Size:
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2’ 4” x 1’ 10” (71 x 56 cm.)
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Warp:
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Ivory/ivory wool, Z2S and brown/brown wool, Z2S
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Weft:
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Dark brown wool, Z2S; two per row
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Pile:
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Asymmetrical, open left, Z2S; 6h x 8v = 48 kpsi
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Selvage: |
Plain selvage, single warp units; remnant of
plait stitch used in join; dark brown hair, Z singles
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Ends: |
TOP:1,1/2” of weft-faced plain weave using
dark brown wool, Z2S; with weft substitution weave using red white
and dark brown wool, Z2 lightly spun; bordered top and bottom by two
rows of two span, two color countered twining, dark blue and red
wool, Z2 lightly spun.
BOTTOM: Patterned as at top end, with closure panel of weft-faced plain
weave, followed by the same type and color of flat-weave and twining
as above. Lastly, remnants of balanced plain weave using white wool,
Z2S. |
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Copyright
©
2004,
New England Rug Society,
All Rights Reserved |
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