The attribution difficulty this piece presents emphasizes the real nature of attribution and how uncertain so much of it is. Although we often make attributions as though we could really be certain that they are correct, one of our dark secrets is that we know better.

This piece presents us with a number of dilemmas. Soumak and pile both present say, most of the time, south Persian. We sometimes lapse into thinking that it is only in south Persia do these two techniques are used together. But we know that both techniques are in the repertoire of weavers throughout central and western Asia. Obviously (from the existence of this piece), there are other people who occasionally combine them.

It gives us food for thought and is a valuable reminder, I think.

Steve Price