First half 19th century, 56 x 63 cm, North West Persia, Azerbaijan

This sumakh bag face by the Khamseh Shahsavan displays a repeat of Lesghi stars in the midnight blue field. The central red-ground star is somewhat smaller than the four salmon stars seen in the corners. The inner border of opposing red triangles separated by a zig-zagging wavy line and the syrga motifs aligned on a pole in the white main border are typical designs of the Khamseh Shahsavan. The great collector Joseph McMullan, for one, recognised the beauty of these small masterpieces, purchasing a bag face with Lesghi stars of this type and later donating it to the New York Metropolitan Museum. A further comparative example has been published by Wertime. – Slight signs of age and wear, good overall condition.

McMULLAN, JOSEPH V., Islamic Carpets. New York 1965, no. 57 *** WERTIME, JOHN T., Sumak Bags of Northwest Persia & Transcaucasia. London 1998, no. 26 *** RIPPON BOSWELL, A 71, 24/05/2008, # 159 *** SABAHI, TAHER, Battenberg Antiquitäten-Kataloge. Orientte