Description
30” x 65” Early 20th century Caucasian Soumak Saddlebags from the Karabagh area of the Southern Caucasus region. The design and color combination indicates the item was woven by the Armenian villages in the Karabagh area. The saddlebag has a geometric pattern woven in green, red, blue, pink colors. The saddlebag has a one piece flat woven kilim backing in stripe pattern in red, blue, yellow. The vegetable dyes used in this Caucasian Soumak have developed beautiful hues in this masterpiece of village weaving from the early 20th century.
Soumak (also spelled Soumakh, Sumak, Sumac, or Soumac) is a tapestry technique of weaving strong and decorative textiles used as rugs and domestic bags. Soumak is a type of flat weave, somewhat resembling but more robust and thicker than kilim, with a smooth front face and a ragged back, whereas kilim is soft on both sides. Soumak lacks the slits characteristic of kilim, as it is usually woven with supplementary weft threads as continuous supports. The technique involves wrapping colored weft threads over and under the warp threads, adding strength and an embroidery-like pattern.
- Dimensions: 30” x 65”
- Date of Manufacture: 1st Quarter of the 1900s
- Place of Origin: Karabagh, Caucasus
- Material: Wool pile on a wool foundation with natural dyes
- Condition: Wear consistent with age and use
SKU: 2161
