Item Ref
BM1549
Pillow-bags or 'balisht' in Persian were, as the name implies, used for lounging on in the black-tent or for placing one's head on at night as a pillow. They were usually stuffed with cotton and tied at one end. This very rare bag, made circa 1870, was I suspect, a balisht because of its size. However, I have never seen such a bag made by Afshar nomads in the Jabel Barez mountains of Kerman Province of southern Persia! Most balishts were made by Baluch tribes on the borderlands of east Persia and west Afghanistan. So what we have here is something very rare, special and highly collectible. It is in evenly-low pile all over with a few minor expertly done re-weaves in the lower corners, but otherwise complete with original back. The beautiful saturated colours in shades of red, sky-blue, ivory, green and burnt-orange can be seen in the vertical bands of small stylised flowers.
Size: 70 x 43cm (2' 3" x 1' 5").
£1,750
| $2,383 USD | €1,948 EUR