Wallet or Saddlebag?

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

In the past I have posted hard to name objects. This could be the winner. I have what appears to be an extremely small saddlebag of unknown origin. It looks to be very old and used…but for what? I found this on Etsy of all places.

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

Hi Joe - Maybe a donkey bag. Definitely not a wallet if that means something that goes in someone's pocket or purse.

Steve Price

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

Thanks Steve. My “wallet” comment was a small attempt at humor since this bag is so small.

Since my post, I have found other examples, (Rug Rabbit) although there are not many, attributing this to the Shahsavan around 1900. They are often referred to as children’s bags. I find this questionable since some of these like mine are so tiny. I actually put this on my Chihuahua and it was a perfect fit.

[Jim Miller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jim Miller]

Joe,
I think these are small personal bags that were carried draped over an arm or over a belt. I love these and have a few of them and have seen a few dozen. T he common features are the plain weave cotton foundation, with supplemental sumac designs on the faces. The slit in the back is also common, maybe to loop through a belt. I attached a picture a single face of one that is similar to your with the field of back to back animals. When I got this, the back of the bag contained so much oil, it was as smooth as leather.

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

Thank you Jim! I appreciate the info.