Unusual Chahar Aymaq Salt Bag

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Unusual Chahar Aymaq Salt Bag

1 foot 2 inch by 1 foot 7 inch

This is a very good Chahar Aymaq Salt Bag bag that they make and use in Northwest Afghanistan. Salt bags were used by shepherds to haul rock salt for the flock. Salt is necessary for the sheep to retain water and not available for the sheep in the high mountain pastures. Salt and the salt trade have been an important part of the Afghan economy for over 5000 years. There are mines in Badakshan province that were in use 5500 years ago the other mines were lapis mines and because of these two items the silk route became a reality long before silk was cultivated. The Badakshan mines were the source of Lapis used in the ancient city of Ur in the Euphrates river delta 5500 years ago. Not that that all has much to do with this bag so let me just say it is a nice newer salt bag.

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For those of you interested in the history of the silk route I wrote an article for Oriental Rug Review:

Design Migration Along The Silk Route
and
Origins of Persian Carpet Designs

Chahar Aymaq Salt Bag, Northwest Afghanistan. twentieth century. 1 foot 2 inch by 1 foot 7 inch. (not including fringe).

Structure: Weft replacement tapestry weave with one row of real twining, and several rows of weft replacement pseudo-twinning, and applied tassels. complete intact bag.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply Wool, white.

Weft: 2 ply ground color

Further Notes: Excellent condition. No problems.

Chahar Aymaq Bag!

Normally in these bags we expect to see weft replacement tapestry with bands of twining. In this bag however we see intermitant use of weft replacement pseudo-twinning. I can not guess why there is a shift in technique in what is otherwise a recognisable pattern salt bag. I suspect that weft replacement tapestry patterns may be clan or tribe specific but as of yet no one has done the fieldwork. For Further Reading: Guide to Rugs & Books