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ID #SA1181205
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Antique 'Mafrash' (Cargo Bag), Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.
Sold by Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
sold SA1181205
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2011
Browse dealers 113 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 #SA1181205
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Antique 'Mafrash' (Cargo Bag), Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.

1900 - 1920
Sold 25 January 2026 · Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
This “Antique 'Mafrash' (Cargo Bag), Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia” 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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Nomadic Wool BagTribal Camel BagTribal Saddle Bag Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Cargo bags or 'mafrash' in Persian, were generally made in pairs and once fully laden with clothes, pots and pans and other personal belongings, were loaded onto each flank of the camel during long migrations. In sedentary situations, when the bags were cleared of possessions, they were laid flat around the circumference of the black tent and stacked.

This amazing mafrash was made by Qashqa'i nomads in Fars, south-western Persia around 1900 in soumak technique and is complete with leather handles and tie-straps on the top.

These storage bags make very decorative seats in the home by stuffing them with foam in order to give them substance and show them off as they might have been used in nomadic life.

Size: 92cm (3' 0") long x 53cm (1' 9") wide x 33cm (1' 1") deep.

Physical Dimensions
Height
53cm (20.87")
Width
92cm (36.22")
Depth
33cm (12.99")
Declaration

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Persian Mafrash to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1181205
Dealers Internal Reference
BM2147
Dealers Notes

Viewing by appointment only.

Description
Cargo bags or 'mafrash' in Persian, were generally made in pairs and once fully laden with clothes, pots and pans and other personal belongings, were loaded onto each flank of the camel during long migrations.
“
In sedentary situations, when the bags were cleared of possessions, they were laid flat around the circumference of the black tent and stacked.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
fig 1. An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements.
fig 1. Antique 'Mafrash' (Cargo Bag), Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.

This amazing mafrash was made by Qashqa'i nomads in Fars, south-western Persia around 1900 in soumak technique and is complete with leather handles and tie-straps on the top.

These storage bags make very decorative seats in the home by stuffing them with foam in order to give them substance and show them off as they might have been used in nomadic life.

Size: 92cm (3' 0") long x 53cm (1' 9") wide x 33cm (1' 1") deep.

Height
53cm (20.87")
Width
92cm (36.22")
Depth
33cm (12.99")
Date of Manufacture

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Persian Mafrash to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1181205
Dealers Internal Ref
BM2147
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 Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique 'Mafrash' (Cargo Bag), Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.

Archive II An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View II
Archive III An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View III
Archive IV An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View IV
Archive V An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View V
Archive VI An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View VI
Archive VII An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements. View IX
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 113
Items Sold 1,073
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
113
Sold
1,073
An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements.
Antique 'Mafrash' (cargo bag), Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-West Persia.
Ref: SA1181205
An antique Persian mafrash cargo bag featuring geometric sumak weaving in red and white tones with leather reinforcements.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectStorage Bag
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleNomadic Tribal
  • MaterialWool, Leather, Cotton
  • ColourRed, White, Dark Brown
  • MotifsGeometric lattice, Diamond patterns, Chevron borders
  • SizeH 53 cm (21 in) x W 92 cm (36 in) x D 33 cm (13 in)

FAQs

A mafrash is a traditional woven cargo bag or container traditionally used by nomadic tribes in Persia to transport household belongings during seasonal migrations.

These pieces are typically constructed using wool, cotton, or goat hair, frequently employing techniques such as sumak flatweaving, soumak wrapping, or pile knotting, finished with leather straps and reinforcement.

Authenticity is determined by examining natural hand-spun wool, traditional vegetable or insect-derived dyes, hand-woven structural integrity, and tribal-specific geometric motifs characteristic of nomadic regions like Fars.

These textural textiles work effectively as statement floor pieces, filled as unique ottoman accents, or displayed flat as wall art within eclectic or rustic design schemes.

Preservation requires gentle vacuuming with a mesh screen attachment, avoiding direct sunlight to prevent fading, and professional specialist cleaning when necessary.
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