Bag Item Number: 915/13 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small, flat embroidered bag, made by seaming two identical rectangular sections together on three sides, leaving the fourth side and a side slit open at the top of the bag. The densely worked multi-coloured embroidered designs are composed of geometric, stylized floral motifs enclosed in squares, which are arranged in a grid pattern. The designs are worked on floral printed textile. The top edge and slit are trimmed with red tablet-woven edging. There are remnants of a cord or tassel at the base of the slit.

History Of Use

Used to carry small items, such as grooming aids, tobacco, medicinal herbs, money, etc. and/or to transport dowry items.

Specific Techniques

kesdi stitch: an interlocking stitch that is commonly used by Turkmen embroiderers

Narrative

According to Clarke Abbott of Tradewinds Antiques, the person who collected this piece lived in Kabul in the early 1960s, doing ambassadorial work. He traveled widely throughout the area. He was killed in an automobile accident there, and no further information is available about him or his collection. The piece was subsequently acquired by Tradewinds Antiques in Vancouver at an unknown date, and the Museum of Anthropology purchased it in 1984, when the business was liquidating its stock.