Saddle Blanket Item Number: 1376/12 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Multi-coloured saddle cover constructed of wool cut pile textile and decorated with complex geometric forms representing plants and animals. Roughly square in shape, but with two adjacent corners cut off at 45-degree angles to accommodate the shape of the back of the saddle. There is a 10 cm slit at the opposite end, close to the edge. Side edges are selvage; front and back edges are turned once and secured with a coarse running stitch.

History Of Use

Used to cover a saddle to provide comfort to the rider. The slit at the front of the piece accommodates the horn of the saddle.

Cultural Context

Used for transportation.

Narrative

The origin of this piece is unknown, though we are quite sure it was collected in Afghanistan, because in 1989 the central Asian republics of the USSR were not yet opened to Western collectors. Many objects that were made elsewhere in central Asia have made their way to Afghanistan because of political unrest in their place of origin. The label on the saddle blanket may have been attached for export purposes.

Item History

What

Name
Saddle Blanket
Identification Number
1376/12
Type of Item
blanket
Material
wool fibre, dye and jute fibre ?
Manufacturing Technique
knotted pile
Overall
height 62.4 cm, width 68.9 cm, depth 2.3 cm

Who

Culture
Uzbek ?
Previous Owner
Alan Davidson
Received from
Alan Davidson (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)

Where

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

When

Creation Date
during 1989
Collection Date
during 1989
Ownership Date
before November 14, 1989
Acquisition Date
on November 14, 1989

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
1376/0012