Accoutrements

This is from Iran made by the Iranian Turkmen. It is a nose bag for feeding horses. Horses were used to travel distances and it would be quite impossible to carry buckets. Feed is placed into the nose bag which is then attached to the bridle or the horse’s head. Feeds might be barley, the

This torba or nose bag was made by a young girl called Farrah. It was purchased in Jagalan, Iran. It is a charming example of the work of the young girls, as they learn to adapt patterns and develop the complexities of design for larger items such as carpets. This one is set onto a

This Iranian Saddle cover is very typical of the Iranian Turkmen with its designs containing green as well as the predominant reds like the previous exhibit. It is surrounded with tassels. The green is found more in Iranian Turkmen work than in Teke or Yomud carpets although there are elements of green in Teke carpets

This saddle cover from Turkmenistan is a superb example of Teke tribe work probably done by children or women. The knotting is very fine. The tassels are of silk and are worn with some missing. The colours are muted dark reds with black and golden yellow. There is a slit at the front to place

This horse blanket is flat weave and then lined with felt. It is made by the Yomud tribe of Turkmenistan. It would have been used on race days. It is made of silk and is also is decorated with silk tassels. These blankets would have been quiet common at one time, but many people have

This horse blanket probably comes from Turkmenistan and could be Teke or possibly Yomud. It this may have been made for a camel, but it would certainly fit a horse. It is blanket with knotted pile and is very fine, probably made for a wedding with the white in the design. It has tassels which

These saddle bags were purchased in Tehran in 1968 they are very fine probably made by children. They may be Iranian-Turkomen. They are fine and both weft and warp are of wool. Today the men ride on motor bikes with them slung over the back seat. The horse is used less and less. 3’2” (98 cm)

These Baluch saddle bags are a example of the wonderful use of red and blue famed by the Baluch tribes people. The coloring is so subtle that you have to look very carefully in good light to see how they have woven these colours in such harmony. The wool is very soft and silky to

This Indian fly mask is made from cotton with an open weave it could almost be describes as macramé. The tassels are very decorative and one can imagine that such an item is essential to keep the flies off. It looks as if natural dyes have been used and it has some age to it.

This fly mask from India is made by the Sind. A lot of the finest work comes from these people. The bright yellow dye is when natural, made from the blossom of the myrobalan tree of the combretaceae family boiled in a solution with the bark of the mango tree. An Alum usually forms the