Caucasian Verne Saddlebag 2053

An extremely rare and highly desirable Caucasian Verne saddlebag from the early 20th century — a piece that represents the pinnacle of technical achievement in Caucasian textile weaving. The front of the bag is woven in the extraordinary Verne technique — a supplementary weft wrapping method of great complexity in which S-shaped dragon designs, filled with backward Z-shaped forms, appear to rise from the surface in a quasi-three-dimensional effect that is unlike anything else in the textile arts.

The reverse of the saddlebag is a flatwoven kilim with alternating red and yellow color bands — the classic construction of a complete Caucasian khorjin or double bag. Verne weaving is seen primarily in the Sileh kilims and related saddlebags of the Karabagh region, and complete examples of this vintage and quality are among the most coveted pieces in the world of Caucasian tribal collecting.

Dimensions: 18" x 56"

Date of Manufacture: 1st Quarter of the 1900s

Place of Origin: Karabagh, Caucasus

Material: Wool on a wool foundation with vegetable dyes

Condition: Good

SKU: 2053