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ID #SA1122050
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Antique Pillow-bag (Balisht), Timuri Tribes, Borderlands of North-eastern Persia / North-western Afghanistan.
Sold by Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
sold SA1122050
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 #SA1122050
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Antique Pillow-bag (Balisht), Timuri Tribes, Borderlands of North-eastern Persia / North-western Afghanistan.

19th century
Sold 27 February 2025 · Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
This “Antique Pillow-bag (Balisht), Timuri Tribes, Borderlands of North-eastern Persia / North-western Afghanistan” 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.

Find more for sale
Antique Persian BagfaceAntique Pillow BagHandwoven Tribal Textile Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

Pillow-bags or 'balisht' as they are known in Iran, were made with the finest, soft, lustrous wool on which to rest the head or lounge on during sedentary periods on migrations. These pillow-bags were generally filled with cotton to plump out the bag thus creating a pillow.

This is a very beautiful late 19th century balisht compleate with plain-weave back and with a superb array of natural colours in what can be expected, using the softest wool. Each end of the bag is finished in weft-float brocade and albeit with some minor wear at one end, the bag is in remarkably good condition.

Complete 19th century balisht are a relatively rare find these days and this one was made by Timuri tribes in the borderlands of north-eastern Persia and north-western Afghanistan.

Size:76cm x 36cm (2' 6" x 1' 2") approx.

Physical Dimensions
Height
76cm (29.92")
Width
36cm (14.17")
Declaration

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Tribal Balisht to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1122050
Dealers Internal Reference
BM1979
Dealers Notes

Viewing by appointment only.

Description
Pillow-bags or 'balisht' as they are known in Iran, were made with the finest, soft, lustrous wool on which to rest the head or lounge on during sedentary periods on migrations. These pillow-bags were generally filled with cotton to plump out the bag thus creating a pillow.
“
This is a very beautiful late 19th century balisht compleate with plain-weave back and with a superb array of natural colours in what can be expected, using the softest wool.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

Each end of the bag is finished in weft-float brocade and albeit with some minor wear at one end, the bag is in remarkably good condition.

fig 1. A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones.
fig 1. Antique Pillow-bag (Balisht), Timuri Tribes, Borderlands of North-eastern Persia / North-western Afghanistan.

Complete 19th century balisht are a relatively rare find these days and this one was made by Timuri tribes in the borderlands of north-eastern Persia and north-western Afghanistan.

Size:76cm x 36cm (2' 6" x 1' 2") approx.

Height
76cm (29.92")
Width
36cm (14.17")
Date of Manufacture

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Tribal Balisht to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1122050
Dealers Internal Ref
BM1979
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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A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 6
Archive I A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Pillow-bag (Balisht), Timuri Tribes, Borderlands of North-eastern Persia / North-western Afghanistan.

Archive II A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones. View II
Archive III A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones. View III
Archive IV A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones. View IV
Archive V A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones. View V
Archive VI A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones. View VI
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
A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones.
Antique Pillow-Bag (balisht), Timuri Tribes, Borderlands of North-Eastern Persia / North-Western Afghanistan.
Ref: SA1122050
A rectangular antique timuri balisht bagface featuring geometric diamond motifs in deep red, blue, and cream tones.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTextiles & Rugs
  • Period19th century
  • StyleTribal Nomadic
  • MaterialWool, Cotton
  • ColourDeep Red, Navy Blue, Cream
  • MotifsGeometric diamonds, Gol medallions, Border guard patterns
  • SizeH 76 cm (30 in) x W 36 cm (14 in)

FAQs

A balisht is a traditional nomadic pillow-bag woven by tribal groups in Central Asia and the Middle East, historically used to store bedding or household items inside a yurt or tent.

These pieces are typically hand-knotted or flatwoven using hand-spun sheeps wool, often featuring natural vegetable dyes derived from plants, roots, and insects.

Authentic pieces exhibit irregularities in weave and symmetry, natural colour variations in the wool known as abrage, and traditional tribal motifs specific to the region and culture of origin.

Such textiles can be displayed as small accent floor rugs, mounted on a wall as fiber art, or repurposed as decorative cushion covers to add texture and historical depth to a space.

Preservation involves gentle vacuuming without a beater bar, keeping the textile out of direct sunlight to prevent dye fading, and periodic professional cleaning by a specialist in antique rugs.
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