Afshar sumak bagface

This Afshar bag face uses an iconic central diamond with latch-hook design which was popular among several nomadic groups across south Persia. While most bags with this design are woven with knotted pile, this piece uses the flatwoven sumak technique. The drawing in the field is geometric, as might be expected; however, the white ground border draws a soft floral rendition of linked blossoms and palmettes. In true Afshar spirit, the colors of this bag face are saturated and radiant. While most of the piece’s colors are derived from vegetal sources, the deep red is most likely imported Indian lac or cochineal.