Saddle Cover

last quarter 19th century

Not on view

Elaborate caparisons, or ornamental coverings for horses and camels, are an essential part of almost every nomadic art tradition. Textiles were often designed to cover leather saddles. Some examples, including this one, feature side panels to provide cushioning for the rider’s thighs. The floral motifs, rendered in a naturalistic style, are characteristic of Bakhtiari tribal works. Also common among Bakhtiari carpets is the symmetrically knotted pile technique the weaver used here.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Saddle Cover
Date: last quarter 19th century
Geography: From Western Iran, Bakhtiari tribe
Medium: Wool (warp, ground weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile
Dimensions: H. 29 in. (73.7 cm)
W. 44 in. (111.8 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Rugs
Credit Line: Gift of Inger G. and William B. Ginsberg, 2015
Object Number: 2015.490.1
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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‘Ghirlandaio’ Carpet, Wool (warp, weft, and pile); symmetrically knotted pile — ‘Ghirlandaio’ Carpet
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Ferahan Saddle Cover, Wool (warp, weft and pile) — Ferahan Saddle Cover
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Saddle Cover, Wool (warp, weft and pile) — Saddle Cover
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Face of half a Double Saddle Bag (Khorjin), Wool (warp, ground weft, and sumak weft); sumak extra-weft wrapping (front); weft-faced plain weave (back) — Face of half a Double Saddle Bag (Khorjin)
ca. 1850

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