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AuctionsA Lifetime of Discovery IIILot 70

Lot 70

Persian Tribal Soumak Spindle Bag

Estimate$150–$200

Offered in A Lifetime of Discovery III · Sunday, November 1, 2026, To be announced

An antique Persian tribal spindle bag, likely woven by Shahsavan or Kurdish nomads of Northwest Persia or the Southern Caucasus. Narrow in form and complete with its original hand-braided carrying cord, the bag was likely used to hold spindle-whorls, spinning tools, or unspun wool during daily nomadic work. Both sides are woven with dense soumak technique, showing horizontal rows of alternating polychrome hooked diamond motifs on an ivory ground, framed by crisp geometric borders. The complete double-sided construction and utilitarian elongated form make it a particularly appealing example of tribal weaving, probably late 19th to early 20th century.

Size
18 x 9 1/2 in.
Provenance
Property from an important private collection, assembled by a dealer and collector over more than six decades.
Condition
Age-related wear, fading, fraying, and minor edge losses throughout. Some unevenness and surface wear from use. Complete bag form and carrying cord retained. Please refer to photographs.

Estimates are opinions of value, given as a guide.