Baluch Bag

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

Here is a piece gifted to us in Switzerland in 2022. It was found in one of the well known flea markets in Zurich. I have found similar pieces in my research but smaller in length. You will note there are 5 rows of fringes. Examples I found had 3. The backside looks identical to the front. I’m sure at one point it had a handle or straps on the top although I see no traces of it. I’m guessing early 20th century. Any input would be appreciated.

Size: 21 x 14 inches not counting bottom tassels.
51 x 36 cm

The construction was done as one piece, folded in the middle and secured on the left side and bottom.

[Steve Wallace Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve Wallace]

Interesting piece, Joe. You probably know more than I do (wouldn't be hard), but looks like it's from Pakistan or southern Afghanistan.... based on M G Konieczny's book and my limited experience of textiles imported to Australia from Afghanistan by Leigh and Alexandra Copeland in the 1980s period. I have a similarly toned 'bedding cover' I got in Peshawar in 1983, like some of the Konieczny pictures, except mine has some thin bands of pile in between the 'weft substitution' lines ( I think that's the term for what used to be called 'floating weft brocade').

I've never seen a similar item size-wise or in terms of the 'loose' top. (But living in Adelaide, South Australia, I mostly see items on the internet!)
Steve