A Pair of Fine Shahsavan Sumakh Bag Faces

60 x 46 cm each (2' x 1' 6")
Azerbaijan, second half 19th century
Condition: good, scattered small old repairs, signs of use, back sides not original
Warp: wool, weft: wool

The Shahsavan are among the most important producers of finely crafted flatweaves of the 19th century. Their bag faces, executed in the intricate Sumakh technique, are particularly admired as some of the finest examples of nomadic textile art.
The present pair is distinguished by its exceptionally fine workmanship, harmonious colors, and almost mirror-image designs. Each piece features a large, multi-stepped medallion with serrated hook motifs against a deep indigo-blue ground. At the center is a brick-red field containing a small diamond-shaped medallion, while four diagonally arranged hooked ornaments complete the composition. The lively border, with its closely spaced serrated diamonds, provides a striking frame. Particularly appealing is the interplay of deep indigo, warm brick red, and various shades of blue, green, and ivory.
Remarkable is the close correspondence between the two bag faces, which, despite minor variations typical of nomadic weavings, form an exceptionally harmonious pair. Complete pairs of this quality are rarely encountered today, as many of these textiles, originally intended for eve-ryday use, were separated over time.
A particularly beautiful example of the highly developed Sumakh weaving tradition of the Shahsavan in the 19th century.

Estimate: € 2000 - 3000