Mystery flatweave

[Mikko Saikku]

Dear all,

For some time, I've been looking for a flatweave to cover the badly damaged top of an old, inherited sideboard. Finally found one, but have no real idea where it hails from or when it was made. The size of the flatweave is 205 x 70 cm:











As you can see, the palette is quite dark, with touches of brighter (synthetic) colors in the borders. The only piled part is the main border. To my eye, the color scheme resembles that of some more recent Afghan Beluch rugs. So if I had to make an identification, I'd say Afghan Beluch, 2nd half 20th century...

All comments about the item will be appreciated!

Best,

Mikko

[James Blanchard]

Hi Mikki,

I agree with your Attribution and age estimation.

I Iike it!

James

[Filiberto Boncompagni]

Hi Mikko,

Same here

Filiberto

[Mikko Saikku]

James & Filiberto,

Thank you very much for your comments--really glad to hear I was on the right track. And considering the end use of the piece, I'm furthermore relieved to receive confirmation that, while enjoyable, it's not an invaluable antique:





Mikko

[Chuck Wagner]

Hi Mikko,

I pretty much agree with the others on this one w/respect to date and type. This particular manner of Baluch flatweave is referred to as a "malaki"; the motifs and the dark palette are key markers.

They are woven by the Baluch tribes that roam around the outer edges of the Dasht-e-Margo desert in southern Afghanistan, south and east of Charaknasur.

Here's one that we have, that I believe is somewhat older. I'd like to think turn of the century but it may well be as late as 1920-1930's - I say this based on the more muted palette and simpler motifs, and that it has the smell and somewhat "greasy" feel of something used in a camp for quite a while. It certainly qualifies as dark.

Regards
Chuck

[Mikko Saikku]

Hi Chuck,

And thank you for the additional information. I really like the contrast between the deep red and dark brown on your malaki.

Are there any piled areas on it? I find the piled border on mine quite interesting.

Best,

Mikko

[Chuck Wagner]

Hi Mikko,

No, no pile on mine. It's my sense that the pile is another indicator of post-World War 2 timing. There are some examples of mixed pile/flatweave technique in older large Baluch pieces, but the prevalance of mixed pile-flatweave increased significantly after WW II.

Regards
Chuck

[Mikko Saikku]

Thanks, Chuck--that was an interesting piece of info.

Mikko

[Dinie Gootjes]

Hi Mikko and all,

Here is a similar piece that we bought in Toronto 15 to 20 years ago. At the time it looked brand new, so that ties in with the other information you already got here. Yours looks a bit more finely woven than ours, but have no fears that you are damaging an invaluable antique ;-).

[Mikko Saikku]

Hi Dinie,

Thanks for the photo. This definitely looks like a very close relative, maybe somewhat younger, and with more piled areas(?). Cf. Chuck's comment.

Best,

Mikko