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Antique Salt-bag, Kurdish - Jaf Tribes, Kurdistan.
Sold by Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
sold SA1171258
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2011
Browse dealers 112 items
  • About Us
    Dealing in antique and old tribal rugs, dowry weavings and decorative carpets from the near east and central asia since 1979.
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Id #SA1171258
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Antique Salt-bag, Kurdish - Jaf Tribes, Kurdistan.

19th century
Sold 14 October 2025 · Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
This “Antique Salt-bag, Kurdish - Jaf Tribes, Kurdistan” found a buyer.

It was listed by Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Antique Kurdish BagAntique Nomadic BagAntique Persian Weaving Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

The powerful opposing 'birds-heads' central lozenge in this magnificent namakdan (salt-bag), made by Jaf Kurds during the last quarter of the 19th century, symbolises the guardians of the gates of Paradise. The background indigo-blue shines out in the most amazing shiny wool with small amounts of aubergine, green, red and highlights of yellow within the lozenge itself.

The face of this stunning bag is symmetrically knotted, typical of the Jaf Kurds, with a plain-weave back comprising narrow horizontal bands in two colour red and blue, interspersed with three bands in overlay/underlay brocading.

The salt-bag retains its single tassel at the base of the bag, symbolising good luck, as well as the complete, braided hanging cord.

Size: 43cm x 40cm (1' 5" x 1' 4").

Physical Dimensions
Height
43cm (16.93")
Width
40cm (15.75")
Declaration

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Kurdish Jaf Salt Bag to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1171258
Dealers Internal Reference
BM/JK
Dealers Notes

Viewing by appointment only.

Description
The powerful opposing 'birds-heads' central lozenge in this magnificent namakdan (salt-bag), made by Jaf Kurds during the last quarter of the 19th century, symbolises the guardians of the gates of Paradise.
“
The background indigo-blue shines out in the most amazing shiny wool with small amounts of aubergine, green, red and highlights of yellow within the lozenge itself.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
fig 1. An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord.
fig 1. Antique Salt-bag, Kurdish - Jaf Tribes, Kurdistan.

The face of this stunning bag is symmetrically knotted, typical of the Jaf Kurds, with a plain-weave back comprising narrow horizontal bands in two colour red and blue, interspersed with three bands in overlay/underlay brocading.

The salt-bag retains its single tassel at the base of the bag, symbolising good luck, as well as the complete, braided hanging cord.

Size: 43cm x 40cm (1' 5" x 1' 4").

Height
43cm (16.93")
Width
40cm (15.75")
Date of Manufacture

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Kurdish Jaf Salt Bag to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1171258
Dealers Internal Ref
BM/JK
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2011

Dealing in antique and old tribal rugs, dowry weavings and decorative carpets from the near east and central asia since 1979.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets Profile Page

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An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 4
Archive I An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Salt-bag, Kurdish - Jaf Tribes, Kurdistan.

Archive II An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord. View II
Archive III An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord. View III
Archive IV An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Telephone 01451 824 447 or 07980 999 114
Location
North Cotswolds
Gloucestershire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/rugmac
Verified Since Oct 2011
Items For Sale 112
Items Sold 1,075
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
Verified Since Oct 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: North Cotswolds , Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/rugmac
Verified
Oct 2011
For Sale
112
Sold
1,075
An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord.
Antique Salt-Bag, Kurdish - Jaf Tribes, Kurdistan.
Ref: SA1171258
An antique handwoven Kurdish Jaf salt bag featuring a geometric diamond lattice pattern in red, blue, and orange wool with a braided carrying cord.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTribal Weaving
  • Period19th century
  • StyleNomadic Tribal
  • MaterialWool, Cotton
  • ColourRed, Blue, Orange
  • MotifsGeometric diamond lattice, Asymmetric knotting, Braided suspension cord, Flatweave base
  • SizeH 43 cm (17 in) x W 40 cm (16 in)

FAQs

Tribal salt bags were traditionally handwoven by nomadic groups to store and transport rock salt for livestock or household use, featuring narrow necks to prevent spillage.

These items are generally constructed using hand-spun wool for both the pile and foundation, often employing asymmetric knots and flatweave techniques with natural dyes.

Authenticity is assessed by examining wool quality, natural colour variation, wear patterns, structural irregularities, and traditional tribal iconography characteristic of the region.

These textiles can be displayed mounted on linen frames, utilised as wall hangings, or placed on flat surfaces as textural decorative accents within diverse interior schemes.

Preservation requires gentle vacuuming through a mesh screen, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent fading, and keeping the wool clean and dry to deter pest damage.
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