Persian Rugs: Notes  on Saddle Rugs

The Eberhart Herrmann Bijar Saddle Cover Rippon Boswell

Published: HERRMANN, EBERHART, Von Uschak bis Yarkand. Müpnchen 1979, no. 71

Saddle covers were a prominent product of Senneh weaving, and the Herati pattern, seen here in the bottom corners, was a common motif. The leather bound slits in the black field are for the saddle's cantle and pommel. Paintings of horses with saddle covers appear in Persian miniatures as early as the 14th century. This particular cover has a date on it of 1295 AH (1878 AD), and an inscription that has been tentatively translated as "Allah is the Prophet." Completely woven in pile, this cover would have provided a comfortable cushion for the rider. Cotton warp and weft, wool pile 89 x 102 cm The Textile Museum 1961.39.17 Gift of Arthur D. Jenkins

Textile of the Month

Saddle Cover Iran, Senneh, Late 19th Century

www.textilemuseum.org

The Eberhart Herrmann/LeFevre Kirman Saddle Cover Rippon Boswell

Published:

LEFEVRE, JEAN & PARTNERS, The Persian Carpet. London 1977, no. 23, p. 52 –

HERRMANN, EBERHART, Von Lotto bis Tekke, München 1978, no. 59

Kerman Saddle Rug A Visit to Hazara Gallery, Oakland Ca.

Yomut saddle cover19th C. Sotheby's

Antique Yomut Saddle Rug

Meshed Baluch Saddle Rug

W&W Rare Tekke Turkmen saddle cover, late 19th/early 20th c. lot 238

W&W Kerman saddle cover, c. 1920 lot 446

Rippon Boswell Malayer Saddle Rug lot 7

Fighting Camels in the style of Mohammadi

Elephants, Rhinoceroses, and Camels

Saddle Cover Eastern Altai, Pazyryk Burial Mound 1 Felt, leather, horsehair 5th century BC L 119 cm, w 60 cm

This cover of thin red felt trimmed along the edges with strips of leather is decorated with applique designs in coloured felt. On the sides of the cover are two identical compositions: a winged griffin, standing on the ibex he has overwhelmed, holds in his beak one of the victim's horns; the ibex's forefeet are bent under him, while his hind legs, together with the hindquarters, also twisted around, turn upwards; the head faces backward.

According to the traditions of ancient Altai art, the animals' bodies are emphasized by applique designs in the form of a dot, triangle and drop.

On either side the saddle cover has three pendants of yellow felt trimmed with red horsehair and lined with leather. The outer side of each pendant shows an applique design in coloured felt of a moufflon between two horned tiger's heads. The cover is highly decorative.  http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/03/hm3_2_7a.html

Literature:

Langlands, R. & Langlands, I. Rare Oriental Rugs 1993. "Beasts, Birds, Blossums & Botehs" 1993, Khamseh saddle cover.

Sabahi, T., ed. Caveleri D'Oriente Da Cavallo E Da Sella/ Horse and Saddle Covers. 1991.

For Further Reading:

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

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