Shahsevan Cruciform Sumac Bag

Sotheby's Sale N07773 New York April 10, 2002 Carpet

From Sotheby's:

A SHAHSAVAN SOUMAC BAGFACE, SOUTH CAUCASUS,

New York 7,000—9,000 USD Session 1
10 Apr 02 10:15 AM

MEASUREMENTS
approximately 1ft. 10in. by 1ft. 10in. (0.56 by 0.56m.)

DESCRIPTION
last quarter 19th century spot stains, ends fraying slightly,

The emblematic design, range and use of color executed in a fine weave as found here are characteristics of the best of Shahsavan soumac work. For related examples with a similar field design please see Rippon Boswell & Co., Wiesbaden, October 2, 1999, lot 16 and Kirchheim, Heinrich, et al., Orient Stars, Stuttgart and London, 1993, pl. 41; Eberhart Herrmann, Seltene Orientteppiche, VIII, Munich, 1986, pl. 53b; and for two examples sharing also the hatch motif border with this lot, please see Dodds, D. and Eiland, M., eds., Oriental Rugs from Atlantic Collections, Philadelphia, 1996, pl. 98; and Bags, Sotheby's calendar 1991, "March."

http://search.sothebys.com/jsps/live/lot/LotDetail.jsp?lot_id=3MY27

JBOC: This bag is very close to Wertime, J. Sumak Bags of Northeast Persia and Transcaucasia. 1998 plate 74 which is also published as Oriental Rugs from Atlantic Collections, Philadelphia, 1996, pl. 98.

Comments from an Anonymous Experts

A world know expert who knows these pieces was kind enough to share his impressions. He does not like to comment publicly on pieces for sale. He has no interest in the piece except as a lover of Shahsevan weaving and wishes to remain anonymous.

The Anonymous Experts comments:

"A couple of comments. Lot 50 is quite nicely drawn, very comparable to the Swan bag. Lot 50 also has two human figures and two more animals. Rather than barberpoles, Lot 50 has ribbon borders flanking the main border, much as is ordinarily found on the "beetle bags," which are related to these cruciform bags. I notice that Lot 50 does not have a purple or aubergine in it, as the Swan bag does. The four triangles (they look like arrows) in the top half of the bag on the ivory ground look to me as if they may have been dyed with fuchsine, as they now have that grayish-brown appearance of faded fuchsine. Many collectors are willing to accept small amounts of fuchsine, others still do not. Given the choice, I would prefer not to have it."

The Expert Continued:

"Nevertheless, the image indicates this to be a very attractive and desirable bag. The nuance of the color may make a difference in the price it realizes. Sotheby's refers to the Kirchheim bag (not as well drawn, but with the back still attached) which fetched $25,000 at his big sale in 1999. Unless there is something that can't be seen from this image (restoration or undesirable color, for example), I think the estimate for Lot 50 is conservative. Lot 49 is complete and done in reverse sumak, but lacks the power in the drawing. Thanks again for bringing this to my attention."

End of Anonymous comments.

Hello all,
Thank you for the comments and insight from anonymous of lot 50, a Shahsavan
soumac bagface, in our upcoming auction. There are what appear to be two
chemical dyes in this bagface, fuchsine and a red that was used in a five of
the "checked" border motifs, that I hope will be visible in the attached
image of the reverse:

<<7773-50a.JPG>>
(Attachment moved to Photo section because of size.JBOC)

This is a handsome piece, with a good weave, and our estimate did take into
account the presence of these two dyes.
Thanks again for the interest, and hope you can all come to NYC next month
to take a look,
best regards,
Mary Jo Otsea
Rugs and Carpets
Sotheby's

From: Barry O'Connell <yesterday20785@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri Mar 22, 2002 8:42 pm
Subject: Shashavan soumak bag, Sotheby's

(Another post sent to me. JBOC) Shashavan soumak bag, Sotheby's Hello, you can find a very similar soumak bag face in "Rare Oriental woven bags", Sammlung Adil Besim, Hegenbart, 1982, pages 58 and 59, plate9. This bag is said to be Karabagh, Kurd. Yours, D. Mariton

Picture and Auction Description from www.sothebys.com. The Anonymous Experts comments are from a private email

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

La Miniature En Orient

JBOC's Notes on the Bible

Southwest Asia Time Line

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.