Weird and unusual Okbash

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Here is a new to me Okbash that has joined the collection. I have done a lot of research on these to include the other spellings of it and even read the excellent post on here from years ago in which Steve had a lot of good information to share.

I have never seen one with the braided border on the edge, or the tassels anywhere but on the bottom of the pieces. Also, the bottom is not shaped/formed correctly which leads me on a few theories. Was it modified within the tribe to be used for something else? We will never know for sure. The good thing is there is zero damage on the pile and not a speck of moth damage. I really like the piece and the colors are correct for a piece like this. I will not change it and will hang it as it appears. There was a tag on it that said ”arrow bag 1910” I’m not going start that debate but the date is close to my assumption of late 19c to early 20c. It may be older or newer but based on what I can see, my assumption sounds close to me.

I know there are a few on here with a lot of knowledge and please share if you have time.

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Joe

I agree with everything you wrote about it - it was woven to be an uk-bash but never used for one. The flatwoven areas at the bottom would have been cut off and the points of pile weave would have been joined to form an arrow-shaped bottom. The braided rope was added to finish it. Probably used to hold spoons, spindles and or some other tall, slender goods.

Steve Price

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Thank you for the input Steve. My feelings on these is one of many questions for the intended original use. I’m not sure we will ever know for sure. I do have a pair of flatweave Okbash pieces that are nearly double in size of not more for the opening or mouth end. I can see these being used to fit possibly half the yurt poles and used as a cover. I am not going to say it’s legit to use it as that, but it would work. I tested it out with a noodle like pipe insulator made of foam that appears to be the same thickness as the poles. This may also explain the very long braided rope that the flatweaves have. Possibly they were used on the front and back of the poles and tied off in the middle?

so many questions.

[Steve Price Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Price]

Hi Joe

My best guess is that it was never sewn into the cylindrical shape of an uk bash. But the Turkmen had a number of other uses for vertical format small bags, and this appears to have served one of those purposes.

Steve Price