A Khamseh Single Bag Face, South Persia, Late 19th Century “The main feature is a centrally located ivory lobed medallion containing a cross and flower design

A KHAMSEH SINGLE BAG FACE, SOUTH PERSIA, LATE 19TH CENTURY “The main feature is a centrally located ivory lobed medallion containing a cross and flower design. Rosettes are the main filler in the surrounding dark blue field although there are also prominent Khamseh triangular ornaments with hooks, that fill the edges (Pinner, R. Fig. 10 F1 and F2, respectively, page 135, in Woven Gardens ed. by Black, D. and Loveless, C. David Black Oriental Carpets, London, 1979) that are typical for this type of bag. There are two borders, the inner one with small botehs on a red ground. The outer one has pairs of facing birds separated by hour-glass-shaped tree forms in a repeating pattern. Two inner guards have opposed triangles in brown and red. An outer guard is banded in alternating green and red. The end at the top has the remains of weft float brocading in a repeating diamond pattern with white cotton. There are a few rows of kelim at the bottom. The sides have a single cord but have been re-overcast in dark blue. The bag’s closure region and back are missing. Knots are asymmetrical, open to the left, warps are in ivory and brown undyed wool, wefts are dyed red with up to five shoots in places.” (Benjamin, op.cit., LITERATURE: 3rd ed., 2004, pp. 102-103 “This is a pretty bag in brilliant colours with lovely wool.” (Benjamin, op.cit., p.102)