A chanteh and its inscription

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

I have a collection of South Persian chantehs, and some years ago I purchased this inexpensively from a dealer who assured me it was Southwest Persian. I've always had my doubts, and wondered if it might be Kurdish. The subject-matter - a single deer - and the inscription have puzzled me too. I'm told that the date is 1931, and that the other word is Arabic for 'deer'. One way or the other, it is unusual. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on these subjects?

It's wool and cotton , asymmetrical knots (which probably go against Kurdish and Luri attributions), light red wefts, some fading. The deer and a few of the other elements may have been woven with camel wool. Might it be Afshari?

I look forward to hearing other people's opinions!

John

[Joseph R. Putnak Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joseph R. Putnak]

John,

The date look about right. But what is most interesting to me is the almost pointillist effect used as background. I've seen a similar effect - achieved using different colored knots - in other Persian pile weavings; just not sure where. Possibly in some rugs from the Bijar area, but I think most are SY-knotted???

Joseph

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

Joseph -

Not unlike the 'salt and pepper' effect in some SWP gabbehs?

John

[Joseph R. Putnak Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joseph R. Putnak]

Ah, yes!

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

The date is spot on and I am leaning more towards Kurdish based on the use of chosen colors on the front and the stripes on the back piece. It’s possible this could be from a variety of areas to include eastern Turkey extending east into South Persia and north to the Caucasus. I also see an Azerbaijan influence on the front border. Don’t rule out the possibility of researching eastern Turkey based on the Arabic numbers and writing. 1931 was only 8 years after Turkey did away with Arabic and adopted a Latin based language.
An interesting note; Chanteh means small bag or purse normally associated with a tribal function. In Turkish it has the same meaning and sounds the same “Çanta” or in the Caucasus “Chanta”.

I find the piece very different and unique. It’s a keeper.

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

Thank you, Joe. I'll look into those possibilities. I'm glad you like the bag. It's not especially attractive, but it's certainly interesting!

John

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

What is the size? I’m now curious based on the backside stripes if this started possibly as a saddlebag. Also, the red wefts are suspect of Western Anatolia as yet another possibility.

[Joe Lawrence Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lawrence]

Well, if this is correct then my guesses are wrong. Apparently the Arabic script translated says “deer” and it’s from Iran according to one poster.

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

Mine isn't unique, then! It looks as if there might have been a brisk trade in them. Yes, I knew the script said 'deer' (see above), but i was told that the date on my one is the equivalent of 1931. And yes, the dealer I bought it from said it was definitely from Iran, and probably from the southwest or south. Mine measures about 12" x 11".

John

[John Hutchinson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close John Hutchinson]

Joe - there is another comment under the Facebook post you found, from someone who says that the bags are from Afghanistan. Not impossible, I guess. Sometimes you discover what you don't particularly want to find! Perhaps commercial production, not the tribal piece that I hoped it was?

John