Notes on the Aija Blitte Collection Torba

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The Aija Blitte Collection torba

I was a bit surprised to see this on Hali.com:
"Turkmen 'eagle-göl' group I torba or trapping (detail), late 18th or early 19th century. Approx. 1.20 x 0.60m (4'0"" x 2'0"").Aija Blitte Collection, Washington DC (International Hajji Baba Society)"

This piece is very familiar to me, it has been shown around town extensively. I would not have thought it that old. As a lucky find this was charming but "late 18th or early 19th" in Hali? What this really points to is the ongoing conundrum in the study of Oriental rugs. Older rugs tend to "better" so some extrapolate that a better piece is older. The Blitte Collection piece is a nice piece. Must we then date it early on the basis of quality. I suggest not. There is no reason why such a nice piece could not be 100 years latter. Why not "late 19th or early 20th"? Why not in deed?

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