Baluch Bag, Face Afghanistan. Atypically dark for an Afghan weaving, the juxtaposition of dark aubergine and the saturated indigo blue field provides little contrast for the three complete and two partial birds (at the top end), a somewhat distracting feature. The owner wonders if these are intended to be viewed as “birds", suggesting winged horses. Whatever they may be, given the long-standing mythology of birds as intermediaries between earth and the heavens above, they have been tentatively identified as such. The idea of winged horses is a prolific theme too, appearing in many forms in far east Asian, Turkic as well as Greek mythology. 21" x 19" (52cm x 48cm) Asymmetric knot open left, 8h x 10v = 80 kpsi. Colors (8): red, tip faded red (appearing to be gold, possibly fuchsine?), blue, light blue, aubergine (over dye of natural black wool), natural black, natural brown, natural ivory/white (flatwoven end). Published: Plate 79. Cole, T. FROM THE LAND OF THE SUN. THE RICHARD STEWART COLLECTION OF BALUCH RUGS, BAGS, AND TRAPPINGS. 2022.

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