Kurdish
TRIBAL - NOMADIC - SPOON BAG SET
Qashoqdan
RARE ANTIQUE SHAHSAVAN TRIBAL SPOONBAG SET (Qashoqdan)
Qaradaghi Kurd clan, west of Moghan, Azerbaijan province, Kurdistan ("NE Persia"), early 20th century, and in excellent overall condition. The exact size is: 4'-0" x 4'-0" (122 x 122 cm). All wool in construction. Has all natural dyes with the possible exception of an orange/red, sparingly used only at the top of the largest bag, that may, or may not, be a natural, plant-derived, dye lot. Only seldom does a complete spoon-bag set come on the market. This specimen displays a large central chante flanked by two smaller chante, all of which are woven separately and then sewn to a "card weave" band used as a hanging strap device for display and use in the tent. This specimen is further embellished with a natural dark brown wool webbing in a flat braid weave and decorated with scraps of colored fabric. With the designs of the bags executed in the supplementary weft-float brocade technique, this particular specimen can be identified as a product of the Qaradaghi Kurds, a clan very close to the Shahsavan who merged with the Shahsavan over time. According to Parviz Tanavoli, who traveled and researched weavings amongst the Shahsan and their affiliated tribal clans, "qashqodan" were used for a variety of purposes: it is hung in the corner of the tent and its pockets filled with things that need to be kept close at hand: not just spoons, but knives, scissors, water pipe parts, and fire starting items. Items such as ladels and spatulas were hung on on the netting. Dr. Tanavoli further adds that during migrations, these spoon-bag sets are hung or tied to the chest of a camel, and again serves as a decorative item as well as to hold necessities of life during travel for these nomads. A superb wall hanging display for the home or office. This textile relic was found in storage, is fresh from source acquisition, and is a bit dusty from pastorial nomadic use in the past.
Foundation For Kurdish Library & Museum