904. a heraldic antique Ersari torba

904. Provenance: Ersari (or possibly sub-tribe, Beshir) tribe, norhern Afghanistan

Size: 184 x 55 cm

Age: Circa 1930

Condition: Very good. 

Notes: The use of dark madder and walnut dyestuffs lends the piece a somewhat sombre, restrained air, but the weaving and detailed design and wonderful. A central panel of three stars is surrounded by a wealth of tribal motifs. The turquoise tassles are still in place. This would originally have had a plainweave back, and would have been used as a wall-hanging storage bag - a kind of nomadic tent 'shelving', possibly for cooking implements or for clothes.