How were wool tribal saddle bags originally used?

Nomadic tribes slung these double pouches across horses, camels, or donkeys to transport personal possessions during seasonal migrations. Once pitched in camp, the bags served as domestic storage containers for household goods, grain, and bedding.

How can I display a saddle bag at home?

Many collectors mount complete bags or individual faces on walls as textile art to protect them from floor traffic. Others convert single bag faces into small floor rugs or plump them into decorative cushions for seating.

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

A complete saddle bag retains both pouches and the central connecting web, sometimes including the original plain weave back. A bag face is simply the decorative front panel that has been separated from the back over decades of use.

How do I identify the tribe that made a bag?

Specific colour combinations, border arrangements, and structural weaves point directly to regional groups like the Shahsavan or Afshar. Motifs such as tile patterns, large botehs, or specific gul designs act as signatures for particular tribal workshops and geographic areas.