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Spindle Bag

ca. 1935
Not on view
This bag was designed to hold wooden spindles. Symmetrically knotted pile across the bottom provides additional support in the area subject to the most wear. Characteristic of Bakhtiari works is the weft-faced plain-weave ground in white cotton and animal hair, used for added strength. With the blue faience beads, the tassels served to protect the owner from the "evil eye," or malign spirits.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Spindle Bag
  • Date: ca. 1935
  • Geography: From Western Iran, Bakhtiari tribe
  • Medium: Wool (warp, sumak weft, pile, and tassels), cotton (ground weft and tassels), goat(?) hair (side finishes and tassels), metal rings, braided strap, and faience beads (tassels); weft-faced plain weave with pattern in sumak extra-weft wrapping (front and back); symmetrically knotted pile (bottom edge)
  • Dimensions: H. 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm)
    W. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm)
  • Classification: Textiles-Woven-Brocade
  • Credit Line: Gift of Inger G. and William B. Ginsberg, 2015
  • Object Number: 2015.490.5
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
Salt Bag, Wool (warp, ground weft, sumak weft, and pile), cotton (white sumak weft and white pile), and goat(?) hair (side finishes); sumak extra-weft wrapping (front); symmetrically knotted pile (bottom edge); weft-faced plain weave with pattern in sumak extra-weft wrapping (back); wrapped warp tassels
ca. 1920
Double Flour Bag, Wool (warp, ground weft, sumak weft, and pile) and goat(?) hair (braided loops); sumak extra-weft wrapping, tapestry (kilim) with dovetailing, and border pattern in complementary weft weave (front); symmetrically knotted pile (top and bottom edges); weft-faced plain weave with two areas of pattern in sumak extra-weft wrapping with twined and braided loop closures (back)
ca. 1900
Bedding Bag, Wool (warp, ground weft, and sumak weft), cotton (white sumak weft), and goat(?) hair (loops); sumak extra-weft wrapping (sides); weft-faced plain weave (bottom and sides)
ca. 1825–75
Double Saddle Bag (Khorjin), Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile and slit tapestry (kilim) closure (front); weft-faced plain weave with twined and braided loop closures (back)
ca. 1900
Double Flour Bag, Wool (warp, sumak weft, and pile), cotton (ground weft), and goat(?) hair (braided loops); weft-faced plain weave with pattern in sumak extra-weft wrapping (front); symmetrically knotted pile (top and bottom edges); weft-faced plain weave with pattern in sumak extra-weft wrapping and twined and braided loop closures (back)
last quarter 19th century

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