Afshar sumak tent bag

This large storage bag is a fine example of weaving seen almost exclusively among the Afshar of southeast Persia. Graphically divided into two large panels, the bag is woven in a flat woven sumak technique. The repeat tessellated field design is a classic Afshar pattern and may be seen in a variety of domestic bag types woven by the group. This large bag almost looks like two saddle bags have been attached–one next to the other–but it is actually one large single piece. Such large storage bags were most probably used as both cargo and tent bags.