West Asian Tribal Art

Ancient Cypriot Bichrome Ware Amphora –  Cypro-Archaic, ca. 750-400 BC A beautifully preserved Large ancient Cypriot bichrome ware amphora dating to the Cypro-Archaic period (ca. 75...

Kazak rugs have primarily been produced as village productions rather than city pieces. Made from materials particular to individual tribal provinces and the rugs of the Caucasus typically display bold geometric designs in primary colours. Kazak rugs are a type of Armenian rug...

Stunning and rare Omani tribal necklace in gold and silver featuring eight Burgau thalers dated 1780 and a large amulet box (Hirz) also in gold and silver. 19th century. Very good condition. Preserved and professionally framed. Dimensions of the necklace: 52 x 30 x 3 Dimensions of the frame: 70 x 47 x 5 Secure shipping. This fine Omani necklace of silver and gold comprises two strands of spiky, seed pod-like silver beads; gold-wrapped beads; eight silver Maria Theresa thaler coins; and a large silver and gold amulet box, with multiple chain tassels each of which finishes with a square-shaped pendant cut from sheet silver. The cigar-shaped amulet box called hirz would have contained some Koranic verse or religious text. Such a spectacular display of wealth would only have been worn at times of important festivities such as marriage celebrations. Maria Theresa thalers were made in Austria since the reign of Empress Maria Theresa of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Empress died in 1780 and since that time, all thalers that were subsequently struck were minted with that date regardless of the actual year that they were produced. The coins achieved such a level of trust for their silver content (which is 83.3% silver) in the Middle East that neither the design not the date was varied, and so for more than 200 years the coins were used as an international currency among the tribes and the states of the Middle East, in much the same way as the Spanish dollar was used as an international currency at the time elsewhere. The thalers were used to complete most important transactions locally and were also given as dowries. They were also an important source of silver and were melted locally for jewellery. The coins made their way to the ports of the Red Sea, Egypt and northern Africa from the ports of Genoa, Trieste, Livorno and Marseille. European traders used the coins to buy precious materials from the Gulf and northern Africa which it desired – commodities such as spices, coffee, gum Arabic, indigo, pearls, and tortoise shell. The importance and the beauty of the coins saw them incorporated into local jewellery most particularly in Oman and Yemen. References Al-Jadir, S., Arab & Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981. Harrigan, P., ‘Tales of a Thaler’, Saudi Aramco World, January/February 2003. Hawley, R., Omani Silver, Longman, 1978. Hawley, R., Silver: The Traditional Art of Oman, Stacey International, 2000. Rajab, J.S., Silver Jewellery of Oman, Tareq Rajab Museum, 1998. Ransom, M., Silver Treasures from the Land of Sheba: Regional Yemeni Jewelry...

Felts are among the first woolen structures made by mankind, some of the earliest we know were found in the 'kurgans' of Central Asia, decorated by a variety of zoomorphic motifs typ...

Kazak rugs have primarily been produced as village productions rather than city pieces. Made from materials particular to individual tribal provinces and the rugs of the Caucasus typ...

Vintage Samarkand Suzani, Uzbekistan embroidered textile red and black Tashkent Suzani from Samarkand Uzbekistan, 1950. Overall good condition for its age and use some stains. "Suzani" means needlework and these embroideries are some of the most characteristic forms of textile art from Central Asia. The mastery of color and the dynamic sense of movement they convey continue to add depth and joy to contemporary interiors. A high level of creative variation and the individuation of each flower are what make each piece unique. Measures: 67.5" x 57". The Silk Road Bukhara: Like scattered pearls along the vast expanse of the Great Silk Road, the cities of Uzbekistan glisten radiantly under the unforgiving sun. This nation, nestled in a picturesque oasis, holds a treasure trove of historical artifacts, owing to its advantageous position at the heart of the ancient Silk Road network. In the year 138 BC, a transformative era commenced as China graciously opened its borders to trade, giving rise to caravans that embarked upon this illustrious route. These trading pathways served as conduits not only for the exchange of goods and craftsmanship but also for the intermingling of cultures, beliefs, and wisdom. Even today, within the ancient walls of cities like Samarkand, one can still discern the echoes of bustling voices, the melodious jingle of camel harnesses...

Perdehs were used as tent dividers by the Kurdish tribes of Eastern Anatolia. Each flat-woven wool panel is individually dip-dyed and subsequently hand-stitched to the other panels. ...

nr. 1316 - It's a good old saddle rug, simple with its hex-proof pendants: pleasant to rest on the back of the sofa. But it can become the seat of an armch...

An old tribal bag, originally meant to be carried over the shoulder or the back of a donkey. A very nice example with lots of details. Can be used in a variety of ways - wall hangin...

Ornate handwoven flat-weave kilim rug with natural pigment dyed wool. The designs woven in to the rug are all symbolic that have been passed done through generations of weavers for h...

A stunning early Kilim from Central Anatolia distinguished by a rare apricot background, by a spectacular array of early colors including aubergine and by a bottom compartment decorated by stylized carnations (or Mother Goddess fertility figures...

Antique grain sack 'open' rug. An old tribal cargo bag or rug from SW Turkey, opened up, still retaining its original carrying band. Can be a wall-hanging, a...

This is an example of the rare and hard to find tribal Mohair blankets. The bottom side is straight woven like a Kilim, the upper side has wool standing out of the blanket. This keep...

19th century small wooden/metal Mortar from Yemen/Saudi Border.

An original Anatolian Tulu pile rug hand knotted with natural, undyed wool and tailored into a coat. This was used by the shepherds inhabiting the area of Karapinar, in central Anato...