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Antique Salt-bag, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.
Sold by Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
sold SA981086
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.
Id #SA981086
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Antique Salt-bag, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.

19th century
Sold 15 September 2024 · Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets
This “Antique Salt-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.

Description

What is important in nomadic tribal life is bread, salt and water. Salt-bags were specifically used for containing lumps of rock-salt which was given to the animals during long migrations to help in the dehydration process. This bag, woven by Qashqa'i nomads in Fars, south-west Persia circa 1890-1900 has an exciting 'zig-zag' design all over the face. I remember discussing symbolism with an elderly Qashqa'i woman in the 1970s and she said that zig-zags represented flowing water. So here we have the water and salt!

The back of the bag is woven in narrow bands of plain-weave, both in dyed and undyed wool. The bag is complete with braided warp threads, tied with coloured wool and originally used for threading a pole through which the shepherd would then carry over his shoulder.

The bag is in excellent condition.

Size: 66cm x 50cm (2' 2" x 1' 8").

Physical Dimensions
Height
66cm (25.98")
Width
50cm (19.69")
Declaration

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Qashqai Salt Bag to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA981086
Dealers Internal Reference
BM1960
Dealers Notes

Viewing by appointment only.

Description
What is important in nomadic tribal life is bread, salt and water.
“
Salt-bags were specifically used for containing lumps of rock-salt which was given to the animals during long migrations to help in the dehydration process.
Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets

This bag, woven by Qashqa'i nomads in Fars, south-west Persia circa 1890-1900 has an exciting 'zig-zag' design all over the face. I remember discussing symbolism with an elderly Qashqa'i woman in the 1970s and she said that zig-zags represented flowing water. So here we have the water and salt!

fig 1. An antique flat-woven Qashqai salt bag featuring geometric zigzag patterns in red, blue, yellow, and white, accented with decorative hanging tassels.
fig 1. Antique Salt-bag, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.

The back of the bag is woven in narrow bands of plain-weave, both in dyed and undyed wool. The bag is complete with braided warp threads, tied with coloured wool and originally used for threading a pole through which the shepherd would then carry over his shoulder.

The bag is in excellent condition.

Size: 66cm x 50cm (2' 2" x 1' 8").

Height
66cm (25.98")
Width
50cm (19.69")
Date of Manufacture

Brian MacDonald Antique Rugs & Carpets has dated this Antique Qashqai Salt Bag to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA981086
Dealers Internal Ref
BM1960
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 flat-woven Qashqai salt bag featuring geometric zigzag patterns in red, blue, yellow, and white, accented with decorative hanging tassels. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 3
Archive I An antique flat-woven Qashqai salt bag featuring geometric zigzag patterns in red, blue, yellow, and white, accented with decorative hanging tassels. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Salt-bag, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-west Persia.

Archive II An antique flat-woven Qashqai salt bag featuring geometric zigzag patterns in red, blue, yellow, and white, accented with decorative hanging tassels. View II
Archive III An antique flat-woven Qashqai salt bag featuring geometric zigzag patterns in red, blue, yellow, and white, accented with decorative hanging tassels. View III
Enlarged Archival View
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
Verified
Oct 2011
For Sale
112
Sold
1,075
An antique flat-woven Qashqai salt bag featuring geometric zigzag patterns in red, blue, yellow, and white, accented with decorative hanging tassels.
Antique Salt-Bag, Qashqa'i Tribes, Fars Province, South-West Persia.
Ref: SA981086
An antique flat-woven Qashqai salt bag featuring geometric zigzag patterns in red, blue, yellow, and white, accented with decorative hanging tassels.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTextiles
  • Period19th century
  • StyleTribal / Nomadic
  • MaterialWool, Natural Dyes
  • ColourMulticolour
  • MotifsGeometric zigzag bands, Horizontal stripe borders, Decorative wool tassels
  • SizeH 66 cm (26 in) x W 50 cm (20 in)

Qashqai salt bags were traditionally woven by nomadic pastoralist women in south-west Persia for daily camp use, specifically to store coarse rock salt intended for livestock.

These functional pouches are typically constructed using hand-spun sheep wool for both the flat-woven kilim face and the durable piled or plain-weave back, often coloured with natural plant and mineral dyes.

Authentic pieces display characteristic tribal motifs, organic variations in hand-spun wool, traditional natural dye palettes, and genuine wear consistent with nomadic utility rather than modern commercial production.

These textured textiles can be displayed flat as wall hangings, mounted in shadow boxes, or placed on small surfaces to introduce rich cultural history and tactile warmth into contemporary spaces.

Preservation involves keeping the textile out of direct sunlight to prevent dye fading, gently vacuuming with a mesh screen guard, and ensuring the environment remains dry and free from insect pests.
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