This charming small vanity-bag - ''chanteh'' in Persian - contains two large ''botehs'' - one ivory the other red, on an indigo-blue ground. From the third quarter 19th century, this is one of the earliest of its type, made by Afshar nomads in Kerman province, southern Persia.
Symbolically, it is believed that the ivory boteh represents the male and the red boteh, the female - thus fertility symbols to the young nomad woman who made this bag.
The bag is complete with original madder-red plain-weave back albeit with some damage to the top brocaded opening section. Nevertheless, this is a very important and collectable example of early Afshar weaving.
Size: 35 x 49cm (1'' 2'' x 1'' 7'').
Viewing by appointment only.
Internal Reference: BM2235
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1179912
Dateline of this antique is 1860
Height is 35cm (13.8inches)
Width is 49cm (19.3inches)
Depth is 0cm (0.0inches)
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