Item Number 3

Hello All

One of my favourite designs is found in the 3rd Shahsavan bagface shown in the Kaffel salon.



The piece is unbelievably beautiful and, with a red field, would have to be unique. A truly amazing piece.

I have an old, very worn fragment that has the same field design, this time on a blue field.



As you can see the top and bottom borders are missing so I do not know if this is a bagface or an end panel from a mafrash. I am pretty sure it is a bagface. With the borders included it would be longer than wider. Also, the majority of end panels do not have side borders ....I think.

The third image is a Varamin Luri? bagface.



As you can see, the design is very closely related, but this piece is not Shahsavan.

I am intrigued by this design and would love to learn more about it.

Best regards

Richard Tomlinson

Problem solved

Richard,

The design you have shown is known as the "spanner" motif.
It resembles a wrench. Probably derived from early 15th century Armenian wrench designs making their way into textiles. Possibly Mother Goddess wenches, too.
(Oops, I mean wrenches)



I, too, think your third example is likely Varamin due to the motif at the bottom. Note that this and the second weavings have the "S" in a cartouche.

Patrick Weiler