Camel Bag Item Number: 1463/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Large, flat, multi-coloured rectangular storage bag made of heavy, coarse wool fibre. One side of the bag is pile-woven, and the other is flat-woven. The centre design field of the pile-woven side is solidly patterned with small orange lozenge-shaped medallions, which are arranged in repeated rows on a dark red background and framed with several rows of black, orange and light brown border designs. The flat-woven side is predominantly red, with bold black, brown and orange horizontal stripes. The two sides are sewn together along three edges with brown yarn, using a blanket stitch, and there are the remains of several braided cords along one edge. There is a short red, black and orange fringe at the bottom. The top of the bag closes with a series of intertwining loops.

History Of Use

Hung (usually in pairs) on the sides of a camel for transporting goods. Also used for storage of goods in the home.

Iconographic Meaning

The traditional tribal motifs (göl) displayed in the centre design field are unique to the group that made and used the bag.

Item History

What

Name
Camel Bag
Identification Number
1463/1
Type of Item
bag
Material
wool fibre and dye
Manufacturing Technique
pile-woven and flat-woven
Overall
height 102.5 cm, width 58.5 cm, depth 6.0 cm

Who

Culture
Turkmen ? or Uzbek ?
Previous Owner
Mj Ceramic Centre Ltd.
Received from
Mj Ceramic Centre Ltd. (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Afghanistan
Collected in
Afghanistan

When

Ownership Date
before February 25, 1991
Acquisition Date
on February 25, 1991

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
1463/0001