How were these carpets used by nomads?

Nomadic families utilised these woven textiles for practical daily shelter and storage inside portable tents. They served as floor coverings, sleeping mats, and durable bags for transporting household goods across seasonal migration routes. Over time, many utilitarian items like saddlebags and tent faces were preserved separately from heavy floor carpets. Their portability meant every textile had to serve a functional purpose while displaying the distinct identity of the maker's tribe.

How do I care for an antique wool rug?

Gentle, regular vacuuming without a rotating power brush helps remove grit from the wool pile without pulling the delicate hand-spun foundations. Keeping the textile out of direct, harsh sunlight prevents the natural dyes from fading prematurely. Professional cleaning tailored to antique vegetable-dyed wool is essential to preserve the integrity of the fibres. Allowing the rug to breathe and avoiding damp environments ensures the natural materials remain stable over decades of daily enjoyment.

What is the difference between a rug and a bag face?

A rug is woven as an open floor covering designed to take foot traffic across a room or hallway. A bag face represents the decorative front panel salvaged from a larger utilitarian storage sack made by nomadic groups. Because storage bags were handled differently and hung inside tents, their wool often survives in a distinct state compared to floor carpets. Bag faces also tend to feature concentrated, miniature tribal motifs that differ in scale from standard area rugs.

How do I identify different tribal designs?

Tribal attribution relies on recognising specific geometric emblems, colour palettes, and structural quirks associated with particular regions like Fars, Azerbaijan, or Western Afghanistan. Qashqai weavers often employ deep indigo grounds with diamond medallions, whereas Turkmen groups favour repeating guls on madder-red fields. Examining the side cordings, end finishes, and wool preparation provides further clues to the nomadic group behind the loom. Comparing the recurring motifs against documented regional examples helps narrow down the origin of each piece.