Afghanistan 1/2 Saddlebag?

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

Yes, this is a bad picture and the locking straps cannot be seen. They are dark brown goat hair and there are many that are lined up close together.

I am not proficient with my knowledge of bags from Afghanistan although I am confident’ish, that this could be attributed to that area. The dyes are synthetic for sure as evident of some bleeding. I am taking a guess on age as 1910-1960.

Any helpful knowledge is always appreciated.

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

Hi Joe

It's difficult to see any detail on the image - either it's out of focus or the camera was unsteady. Can you get better photos?

Steve Price

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

Good idea Steve. I have a better pic now.

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

Hi Frank

Much better! It looks to my outdated brain like a Beluch group Afghan weaving. The Turkmen-derived panel at the bottom is uncommon on these, although Turkmen motifs aren't. I think it's reasonable to believe that it dates to the first half of the 20th century, as you suggested.

Best,

Steve Price

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

Thank you Steve. My daughter found this for cheap and picked it up for herself. She has a good eye.

[Chuck Wagner Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck Wagner]

Hi Joe,

Steve has it right IMHO. The floating-weft "S" motifs at the top, and the closure tabs style, are quite "Baluch". And I think it more likely that a Baluch weaver might combine Turkmen motifs into her work, than the other way around. An attractive bag.

Regards
Chuck

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

Thanks Chuck!