What were these bags used for?

Nomadic groups utilised these containers for storing salt, household goods, bedding, and personal belongings inside tents or during seasonal migrations. Double saddle-bags served practical transport needs across pack animals, while smaller pouches held specific domestic items.

How do I distinguish between tribal groups?

Distinctive design elements such as specific gul patterns, border arrangements, and structural weaves help identify particular tribes like the Yomut, Tekke, or Shahsevan. Colour palettes and flatweave techniques also point directly to the specific region of origin, from the Caucasus to South Persia.

Can I hang a bag face on the wall?

Many collectors display bag faces as flat textile art to appreciate the intricate wool work and natural dye variations without structural strain. Mounting methods should distribute the weight evenly across the upper edge to preserve the integrity of the antique fabric.

Why do some pieces retain their backs?

Complete examples kept their original plain-weave wool or goat hair backs because they remained intact within nomadic households rather than being divided into decorative fragments. Surviving backs provide complete structural context for how the storage containers functioned in daily camp life.