Shahsevan Small Bag
While the term "carpet" evokes a heavy, large rectangular textile (either knotted pile or flat-woven tapestry, called kilim) that covers a floor, a vast array of rug genres and techniques can be found in the Islamic world, where they serve various functions in nomadic encampments, villages, cities, and palaces. Flat-woven and richly embroidered textiles, such as this one, belong to the kinds of smaller tribal weavings that were common in the Middle East from Anatolia to Iran; it was generously given to The Met by Inger G. and William B. Ginsberg of New York.
Such textiles were woven by nomadic tribes as containers for everyday items. Some were designed specifically to transport or store bedding, flour, salt, and wooden spindles used to make the woolen yarns from which these works were woven. Others were of smaller size, comparable to cross-body women's handbags, or çanta, or also possibly used by children. Most notable is the ubiquitous double saddlebag, known as a khorjin in Iran and a heybe in Turkey. The equivalent of backpacks, briefcases, and purses, double saddlebags were woven in various sizes across the Middle East, from Anatolia to Central Asia, and used to hold anything from jewelry to clothing.
Women weavers spun the wool, dyed the yarn, and created these textiles, often on small portable looms. They demonstrate the mastery of the weavers and reflect centuries-old artistic traditions. They are at once embodiments of tribal identity and breathtaking examples of artistic expression.
.
Such textiles were woven by nomadic tribes as containers for everyday items. Some were designed specifically to transport or store bedding, flour, salt, and wooden spindles used to make the woolen yarns from which these works were woven. Others were of smaller size, comparable to cross-body women's handbags, or çanta, or also possibly used by children. Most notable is the ubiquitous double saddlebag, known as a khorjin in Iran and a heybe in Turkey. The equivalent of backpacks, briefcases, and purses, double saddlebags were woven in various sizes across the Middle East, from Anatolia to Central Asia, and used to hold anything from jewelry to clothing.
Women weavers spun the wool, dyed the yarn, and created these textiles, often on small portable looms. They demonstrate the mastery of the weavers and reflect centuries-old artistic traditions. They are at once embodiments of tribal identity and breathtaking examples of artistic expression.
.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shahsevan Small Bag
- Date: ca. 1870
- Geography: Made in Northwest Iran, Shahsevan tribal region
- Medium: Wool and cotton; sumak technique
- Dimensions: H. 12 in. (30.5 cm)
W. 10 in. (25.4 cm) - Classification: Textiles
- Credit Line: Gift of Inger G. and William B. Ginsberg, 2018
- Object Number: 2018.666.3
- Curatorial Department: Islamic Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
ca. 1870
ca. 1870
ca. 1860
ca. 1850
ca. 1870
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.