rugtracker: The Tree of Yacub Khani

Attributed to Flandrin,late 19th century

The so-called Baluch carpets inhabit two hemispheres,that of Iran and Afghanistan.The present entry sets out to plot a group of blue-ground carpets probably produced in what is now Western Afghanistan.In the last century various attempts were made to ascribe these works to different tribal groups,with varying degrees of success.The author believes the majority of rugs presented here were woven in a semi-urban environment,by trained weavers overseen by Ustads,and with the involvement of professional designers.Copying and piracy were rampant.Obviously country people were also involved,but the high level of practice required and the continuous quality-control indicate an industrialised production.This presupposes that a large portion of the weavers involved were male.Women did not go out to work,but would have been integrated in a cottage-industry organisation.By employing a blue ground a distinction was created between the camel-ground rugs of Khorasan,and the red-ground Turkmen.The Lapis blue of Afghanistan created a brand.White is rarely used,although white wool must have been plentiful-most rugs use white woolen warps.Such aesthetic decisions spread across a diverse range of designs indicate a controlling instance.The starting point for this study is a rare group of main carpets,referred to as Yacub Khani.The name seems to have entered rug literature via McCoy Jones and Jeff Boucher in the 1970`s.There is no proof that the tribe actually wove these carpets : it is used here for convenience.The genealogy of design ,with its subsequent simplifications,is what follows.

YACUB KHANI MAIN CARPETS-MAJOR GROUP.

YACUB KHANI BORDER.This presumably evolved from an arabesque border design,as seen on certain Vase Carpets.

with Mikaeloff

1)Terry King Collection.In the Acor 6 Exhibition,2002,Indianapolis, the weaver is said to have "changed her mind".Unsold at Rippon Boswell on 23 May 1998,Lot 132,against an estimate of 6.500 DM.Published by Frank Diehr in "Three Dusty Dozen",pages 24-25,where it is said to have surfaced in a Bulgarian street market.It was subsequently offered around in German rug collecting circles,before entering a Canadian Collection.Either very early or very late.With typically superior wool quality.Size 135 x165 cm.

2)A classic example once with Clive Loveless.Human depictions are not common in Baluch carpets.Here two male figures proudly display themselves field centre in martial stance.One figure on the right has been reduced to legs and genitals.First published in Hali 30,April 1986,page 13;then as an advert in the Austrian ICOC catalogue September 1986,page 40;and by James Opie in Tribal Rugs,plate 13.24.Size 160 x 259 cm.

3)An iconic carpet from the Boucher Collection,often rated as BOT(bestoftype).The piece seems self-assured and relaxed,with silky wool and a wide palette.Seven designs adorn the panels.Size 162 x 233 cm.

4)At Bonhams on 27 April 2004(Lot 89)Sold for $13,750.Later with Chris Legge,who sold it at the Hali Fair that year.Size 188 x 290 cm.

5)Published by Eduardo Marino on rugrabbit.With six designs and faded colour at the lower border.

6)Eberhart Herrmann,ATT 5-plate 95.With seven design panels this can be compared to the Boucher rug,but lacks that rugs serenity.Size 170 x 245 cm.

7)Sold at Hindman on 18 April 2018,for $7500 and later seen with Tribal Looms on rugrabbit.Seven Design panels.

8) With imokub2 (Michael Phillips) on ebay in June 2013.A simpler three row format with four design panels.

9)At Lefevre on 25 April 1980(Lot 71)A small rug,size 106 x 154 cm.Estimate 800-1000 GBP.

10)At Lefevre on 21 May 1976,Lot 20.Sold for 2600 GBP.Size 175 x241cm.

11)With Clive Loveless in 1990(Hali 53)Also an advert from that dealer in the Hali ICOC Preview,page 49,1990.A smaller rug featuring-as in plate 1-the "folded snakes" design,in the orange panels.The botehs seem out of place.Size 125 x 191 cm.

12)At Nagels on 1 October 1984,Lot 3379.Sold for 10,000 DM.Wide colour range and trees inspired by Yomut work.Size 172 x 235 cm.

13) Terry King Collection,published in Canadian Collections II,1998.A really august old gentleman.Size 167 x 243 cm.

14)At Rippon Boswell on 28 March 1992,Lot 85.Sold for 8000DM.A very well designed rug in good condition.As in Nr.12 the inner border abuts onto the main field.Size181 x 267 cm.

15) Wisdom Collection,plate 17.Published by George Gilmore in Hali 87,page 137.Said to have hung sideways many years in a Santa Barbara household.The unusual elongated size would accomodate this.The text to this carpet in Gary Wisdom`s book is informative.Size 157 x 279.

YACUB KHANI-NALDAG,SARYK BORDER.

16)At Bonhams on 7 October 2008 (Lot 106,estimate 200-300 GBP);and at Grogans in January 2009(Lot 81A)With mutant palmette in the first row.Size 155 x 218 cm)

17)Published in Herrmann,Seltene Orientteppiche VII,1985,plate 70.Offered at the time for 34,000 DM.Size 185 x 265 cm.A three row format,as in the preceeding item.

18)At Rippon Boswell on 17 May 2003(Lot 4).Sold for €6000.Size 168 x 237 cm.Appears worn with strongly corroded blacks.For more info read the ambivalent APG in Hali 130,page 129.

19)At Skinner on 19 April 2008(Lot 161)Unusual white element in the center field right.Sold for $2370.Size 144 x 213 cm .Another three row format.

20)With Haliden,Bristol U.K in March 2009.Published on rugrabbit.

21)From the Breuss Collection,offered at Nagel on17 September 2019(Lot 132)No beauty,but an interesting novelty item,formerly with the dealer Daniel Auger.The catalogue text raises the interesting concept of carpets-within-a carpet.Finely knotted.Certainly this workshop was open to any kind of commercial venture.In this case a 232 x 468 cm size was perhaps woven for the large yurt of a Khan-or a hotel lobby in Chicago.Went unsold.

21A

21A)Only one closeup of this remarkable carpet has been published(in Hali 111,page 115)It was shown at the Capri Motel,San Francisco,by the Turkish dealer Cocoon.The author surmises it had the Naldag border.

YACUB KHANI MAIN CARPETS-OTHER BORDERS.

22)Unsold at Lefevre on 21 October 1983(Lot 53),this carpet re-surfaced at Sothebys on 15 December 1994(Lot 115)and was sold for $9200.A very beautiful and interesting carpet with a main border of four botehs forming a kotchak-like device.Sold for $9200.Size 183 x 224 cm.See Hali 79,page 146.

23)Sold at Nagel on March 8 1986 for 1792 DM,and at the same venue on 10 December 1994 for 1600 DM.See Hali July 1986,page 84.Noteworthy flatwoven ends in weft float technique,for which specialists were surely employed.Size 170 x223 cm.

24)A marvellous adventure playground in the collection of Hans Ritter,in which mutant palmettes seem to be attacking more indolent cartouches.Attributed to the Jamshidi.

25)Published online in Facebook by David Hunt.Whereabouts and size unknown.A classic 3 x 4 format with an Ovadan border.

YACUB KHANI MAIN CARPETS WITH TREES.

YACUB KHANI BORDER.

26)The Prince of Wales Baluch carpet,collected in 1875.Whereabouts unknown.Published by Pittenger,OCTS V-1-121.Mutant palmettes and classic prayer rug trees.Appears to be the earliest recorded example of Baluch weaving.

27)A tree and cartouche carpet which seems to have been cut vertically and horizontally.Published online by David Hunt,Turkotek 19 May 2009.Size 205 x 289 cm.

28)Another carpet published online by David Hunt,with mutant palmettes and flatwoven-style tree fillers.

29)At Skinner on 24 April 1993(Lot 151)With mutant palmettes and "pine-cone" design aka serrated cartouches.Sold for $9900.Size 170 x 264.See Hali 69-149.

30)Published in the 1974 Hajji Baba Baluchi Rugs catalogue.From the Collection of Sir Edmund and Lady Bacon.Attributed by Jeff Boucher to the Timuris living in Torbat-e-Jam.Another riotous design featuring trees,serrated cartouches and mutant palmettes.Size 155 x 234 cm.

31)Published on Facebook in 2009 by David Hunt,this item was once with Marcuson/Hall.Featuring serrated cartouches,Big-Leaf tree forms from the prayer rug format,crowned by a translucent tree.

32)Sold for $4570 at Nagel on 30 October 2006(Lot 114)Later with David Sorgato(plate 32)Attributed to Khorasan.Finely knotted with glossy wool.Size 178 x 295 cm.

33)With Richard Purdon in 1998,and subsequently stolen in Febriary 2001.See Hali 102-140,and 115-15.Size 173 x 278 cm.

34)Anil Menon Collection,via Mete Mutlu(?).Published Facebook.

35)With Noah Bolour.A more traditional depiction of the Tree-of-Life motif.

TREES WITH CARTOUCHES.

36)At Nagel on 6 November 2001.Previously author`s collection.From the group with translucent trees.Large white-embellished Turkmen motifs,on a dark brown ground.Size 133 x 226 cm.

37)From the Collection of Ike Eisenhart.At Christies East on 15 September 1998(Lot41)-unsold:and at Jacksons Auction 18 November 2015.Described by the collector as having"no eye-catching idiosyncrasies".Size 124 x 229 cm.

38)With Ben Banayan.Similar Turkmen ornaments as Nr.36.Big-leaf and translucent trees,with four large serrated cartouches.

39)A lively object published by Besim(Mythos und Mystik 4-The WIG Collection comprising the collections of the Austrians Gert Walter and Karl-Heniz Breuss)Dominated by a Kochak medallion lodged between two translucent trees,and,encircled by four serrated palmettes.Saryk Naldag border.Size 135 x 201 cm.

40)Published by Mete Mutlu on the Facebook group page "Baluch Studies" Translucent trees embedded between serrated cartouches,which function as field-elems.

41)A similar concept to the previous example,albeit with a big-leaf tree design in the center.Collection of Ike Eisenhart.Size 130 x 238 cm.

42)With David Sorgato,published in his Baluch catalogue plate 31.Attributed to Khorasan.Noteworthy are the three white emblems along the vertical axis.Size 128 x 216 cm.

43)A narrow runner published by Albert Boralevi in Carpet Collector 1/2013,pages 90-91.He suggests it may have functioned as a sofreh.Size 87 x 380 cm.

44)With Basha,and published in the David Castriota catalogue "The Great and the Small:Baluch Main Carpets in Context" plate 5.Size 132 x 228 cm.

45)The earliest publication of this particular design(although see plate 95) by Neugebauer-Orendi,1909,plate 150.Such rugs are described as having high-pile and glossy wool.Price for antiques:600-2000 Mark;new goods:200-1000 mark.

46)A particularly refined example once with Richard Purdon;now Anil Menon Collection.With mutant palmette and two white tree-like figures extrapolated from a rare prayer rug design.

WITH TREES-OTHER.

47)Published by Ian Bennett in Hali 3--1,page 33,1980,and subsequently offered for auction at Sothebys on 28 April 1982(Lot 141)A Tree of Life rug with Harshang-style medallions(which we shall encounter further on)Perhaps inspired by a particular type of Neyriz Tree rug.Size 193 x 226 cm(?-7ft 5in by 6ft 4 in)

48)Published on Turkotek by Janet Tyson on 9 January 2007.A solitary Big-Leaf tree surrounded by latchhooks and other memorabilia.

YACUB KHANI,SIMPLIFIED DESIGN.

Various tranches of design were subsequently used to make simpler carpets,presumably as demand outgrew supply for the larger,opulent main carpets.The "pen-case" design was dissected into convenient units which could be easily learnt and reproduced.

1 ROW.

49)Sold at the Dorotheum on 25 February 2014(Lot 155)for 1125 €.Now Ike Eisenhart Collection E.14.06.Size 97 x 180 cm.

50)With the American dealer Ernst Vojdani.Published on Facebook.

51)Galerie Sofreh,Paris.Shown at the 2001 Hali Fair and favoured by the editor Danny Shaffer,himself a Baluch adept.Grazing herds are not uncommon upon the fields of such rugs.

52)With Reza Memarian;the panels featuring folded snakes and trees.

53)Seen on ebay with the vendor "Blue Parrot"(Lisa Shehady), a simpler but still punchy interpretation.

2 ROWS.

54)On many two-row models the white Kufi surround has disappeared,here replaced by blue.The animal-tree panels are successfully matched to the curled-leaf border.With Brian MacDonald.

55)Powischer`s Nr.345 has a mechanical look to it but the latchhook border holds up well.Attributed to the Djanbeghi-Belutsch,Sarakhs.Size 140 x 223 cm.

56)Unsold at Rippon Boswell on 26 November 2011(Lot 72)against an estimate of 2000€.This piece still retains the Yacub Khani border.Size 114 x 209 cm.

57)Sold at Lefevre on 21 October 1983(Lot 57) for 1800 GBP.Size 99 x 172 cm.

58)At Nagels on 8 December 1983(Lot 3697)and 8 March 1986(3350)With grazing herds and a centre panel flanked by cartouches.

59)With Galerie Sofreh.Retains the white Kufi surround and the dynamic Ovadan border.

60) Surely the BOT amongst the 4-and-1 group.Ike Eisenhart Collection,E.18.26.Size 122 x 166 cm.

3 ROWS.

YACUB KHANI BORDER.

62)A classic,straightened out piece,quite useful as floor-covering but lacking esprit.Published by both Diehr and Besim.Size 147 x 228 cm.

62A

62A)Another similar item from Anglo-Persian,published in Hali 118-12.A mechanical reproduction of the earlier group.Size 139 x 232 cm.

63)Unsold at Sothebys on 16 December 2009(Lot 49)Such colour reproductions have given Baluches a bad name.Size 168 x 287 cm.

OVADAN BORDER.

64)Rugs with the Turkmen Ovadan border automatically bring more dynamic to a carpet-what Richard Markarian once called "acceleration"Perhaps a single workshop was responsible for most of these examples,although Nr.69 with its dark palette seems anomalous.This example was sold at Christies on 14 October 1999(Lot 29) for 2070 GBP.It employs extensive use of the folded snake design,presumably derived from the Asclepius rod.Size 107 x 211 cm.

65)With Ben Banayan.The Kufi-embellished cartouches are arranged in a 1-2-1 order.

66)At Nagel on 6 November 2001(Lot 248)where it sold for 1100€.Size 100 x 182 cm.

67)On ebay with the seller 6791carmen, 22 July 2009.Poor colour and condition,nevertheless exhibiting panache.

68)Published by David Black in "Rugs of the Wandering Baluchi"(plate 28)It would be interesting to list all known Baluches which start and finish with a row of seemingly unrelated boteh.Here only one cartouche has been outlined in white.Very lively,despite the monotony of design in the cartouches.Size 150 x255 cm.

69)With much white Kufi outlining,and the intrusion of a Turkmen-style göl unique to the Baluches.Unsold at Nagel on 27 January 2009(lot 342)Size 126 x 264 cm.

LEOPARD AND DEER.

70)At least 5 examples,all very similar,are known with animal-combat scenes.These have been interpreted as Lion and antilope(Rippon Boswell)Leopards and deer(Sorgato)or possibly both(Besim)Amongst the aina-göl panels,trees and folded snakes,the herds graze as if between watering-holes,and indeed,perhaps the original design concept has mutated to a paradise garden scene.Nr 70 was at Rippon-Boswell on 20 November 2004(Lot 194) and sold for 5400€.Size 120 x 257 cm.

71)At Rippon Boswell on 1 December 2007(Lot 207)Unsold against an estimate of 6500€.The only piece in this group with a differing,Ovadan border.Size 127 x 228 cm.

72)Published by Besim,Mythos und mystik,plate 14.Size 124 x 216 cm.

73 & 74)David Sorgato published two examples in his Baluch catalogue.One has a row of four panels.Sizes 120 x 223 and 114 x 221 cm.

3 PETAL BORDER.

75)At Rippon Boswell on 12 April 1975.The execution seems cramped.Size 114 x 211 cm.

76)At Christies on 25 October 1984(Lot 58)The property of Victoria Bennett.Size 104 x 208 cm.

77)Sold at Nagel on 9 November 1999 for 4300€.A large rug with 4 rows of white cartouche.Size 134 x 380 cm.

78)The 3-petal arabesque border is one of the more refined Baluch borders,requiring particular skill to turn the borders.This piece from Mete Mutlu shows a well-balanced robust refinement.

3 ROWS-OTHERS.

79)With William "Ike" Eisenhart.Previously at Skinner on 16 September1995(Lot34).Size 114 x 293 cm.

80)Advertised by Madiros Madayan.

81)Published by Bausback in his 1980 Baluch catalogue,page 35.Size 104 x 193 cm.

82)A similar rug offered by Bausback in his 2010 Sale catalogue at 4900 €.Size 128 x 225 cm.

83)At Grogan on 5 December 2019.Sold for $793.Size 106 x 223 cm.Formerly with Amir Oskouei and Wayne Barron.

84)With Herrmann Fink,Tarim Gallery.

4 ROWS.

85) A smaller rug which retains much of the power of the older main carpets.With Bertram Frauenknecht.

86)An elegant rug unsold at the Dorotheum on 24 February 2014(Lot 172)Size 117 x 227 cm.

87)With Aaron Nejad,offered on rugrabbit.

88)Offered by the ebay seller rou62.Interestingly all the members of this group have a linked star border.

HOOKED CARTOUCHES.

The long cartouche forms with hooks and serrated fin appendages constitute another design branch extrapolated from the Yacub Khani main carpet group.

89)Single-file cartouche rugs are rare within this grouping.European trade.

90)An attractive 2-cartouche rug,with Noah Bolour.

91)A colourful example from the collection of Anil Menon.

92)Unsold at Rippon Boswell on 17 November 2018(estimate 650-800€)Size 81 x138 cm.

93)Sold at Rippon Boswell on 17 November 2018(Lot 267) for 2214€.Published by Hakan Aydin on Facebook,Baluch Studies,in July 2018.Size 139 x 173 cm.

94)With the Israeli dealer Marvadim(Mark Berkovich)-shown at the Stockholm ICOC in 2011.Curious addition of a 3-cube Mushwani border.

SERRATED FIN CARTOUCHES.

95)Published in 1908-09 by Bogolubov(plate 35)Described by the general as a Timur Afghan.Said to have been brought from Herat,where it was taken for sale,and purchased in Takhtar Bazaar.

96)Carpets of this type have either two or three rows.This example from the Boucher Collection (plate 59)was attributed to Herat,Kusk district.With corrosive black and minimal white highlights.The vertical main border does not repeat sequentially.Size 170 x 248 cm.

97)Advertised in Hali 145-page 105,2006 and published in Tribal Rugs,2017,by Brian MacDonald.He attributes the carpet to the Timuri,in particular the Boruti sub tribe in the Khaf Valley.It does display Khaf göls at the beginning and end of the field,seen on some bag fronts.Size 135 x244 cm.

98)A similar carpet was sold at Christies Meyer-Muller Sale on 22 January 1991(Lot 62)which fetched $7920.Size 145 x 224 cm.See Hali 56-174.

99)An elongated version with Ovadan border.The design could be easily adapted to accomodate most sizes.Advertised by Brian MacDonald in Hali 142,page 32,in 2005.Size 135 x 244 cm.

100

100)Sold at Skinners on 28 April 2019 (Lot 186) for $369.Size 177 x 254 cm.

101

101)On this stately carpet the repetetive design within the cartouches has been offset by skillful colour manipulation.At Lefevre on 26 November 1982(Lot 65)Sold for 1400 GBP.Size 195 x 302 cm.

101A

101A)With Basha,published in the Castriota catalogue,plate 4.The author dispenses with the "ink-pot" theory for this design,correctly tracing the origin back to the (Lotus) Palmette.Size 157 x 266 cm.

102

102)Perhaps too murky to sell at Bonhams on 6 October 2009 (Lot 218)but nevertheless full of power and mystery.Size 188 x 267 cm.

103

103)A similar carpet suffering from the strange Powischer colour rash.The author makes short shrift of the ink-pot theory.Powischer,"Beludj Considerations".Size 195 x 255 cm.

104

104)With Markus Voigt,published in Hali 121,page 118.With a star border seen on a rare group of bag fronts(see 178)Size 170 x 275 cm.

105

105)From the Dewitt Mallary Collection.Published by George O `Bannon in his excellent introduction "Yacub Khani and Dokhtar-i-Ghazi Baluch Rugs"Oriental Rug Review,9-2-page 18.

106

106)Unsold at the Austrian Auction Company,22.4.2017(Lot 222) and Nagel on 17 September 2019 (Lot 123)A large carpet.Size 172 x 425 cm.

HARSHANG DESIGN.

TRUE HARSHANG.

107

107)True Harshang carpets are rare amongst the Baluch family although they represent the point of departure for the Yacub Khani mains.A carpet advertised by Asad Khan is such a classical attempt, of which three are recorded here.One of the supreme Baluch productions,its derivation from the Khorasan Harshang type can be observed in a redground fragment(107A)Exhibited by Asad Khan in 1997.See Hali 97-151;Hali113-65.Size 239 x 193 cm.

108

108)Published by Amos Thacher in his 1940 monograph on Turkoman Rugs(plate 49)and described there as an "Adraskand" rug,this later went to DeWitt Mallary via Newton Foster(see"Skein Through Time",1996)A simplified design compared to the previous example,but where has the colour gone?Charles Jacobsen wrote that in the twenties there were thousands of Baluch rugs in New York,and most of them were bleached.That seems to be the case here.At the beginning and end of the field are four small tree designs,usually found as an allover on shrub-rugs.Size 220 x160.

109

109)Published by Besim in Mythos & Mystik.plate 18.This lacks the vibrant quality of the Asad Khan piece.But still a rare item with good colour.Two white shrubs at the beginning and end of the field,as in the Khan piece.Perhaps a workshop mark?Size 179 x 252 cm.

VASE HARSHANG.

The "Vase-Harshang" is an indigenous development made by placing a vase within a Harshang form,thus combining two classic Iranian designs.

VASE HARSHANG-1 ROW.

110

110)Here the vases within the Harshang are lozenge-shaped,lacking a base.The single-file format is scarce.

VASE HARSHANG-2 ROWS.

111

111)Published by Dieter Schletzer in 1974.With iridescent green.

112

112)A closeup from a carpet woven in two halves,perhaps by two weavers working in tandem.With Fred Hazin,Baluch Studies,Facebook,15.3.2017.

113

113)One group has a central medallion composed of white petals(see 292-295).Here the medallion concept has been substituted for a central panel,with four Vase-Harshang panels above and below.Besim,Mythos & Mystik 1,plate 66.Size 158 x 225 cm.

114

114)A clearly drawn,dynamic example with Noah Bolour.The radical abrash in the upper field suggests a mihrab direction.Perhaps such items could have been used as Safs?

115

115)A four-and-one variant,with both Mete Mutlu and Brian MacDonald.

116

116)A fascinating carpet with Markus Voigt.A rare marriage depiction,with the bride being led on a camel.Logwood pink,the poor mans kermes,gives this carpet a lurid glow.

117

117)In the Museum of Applied Arts,Vienna,since 1987.Published Angela Völker,2001,plate 149.Said to be Turkish knotted,but this is hard to believe.Size 121 x 396 cm.

VASE HARSHANG-3 ROWS.

118

118)Published by Brian MacDonald in Hali 86-123(May 1996)and in his publication "Tribal Rugs" in 1997.The field is so densely packed that the major elements are hard to read.Size 193 x 285 cm.

119

119)With the US dealer Craig Hatch.Half-medallions have been inserted to balance the field.

120

120)Published by both Ben Banayan,and Mete Mutlu.Interestingly, white birds often appear in the fields of main carpets.This has four red birds,too.

121

121)Posted on Facebook by the UK based collector/dealer Roger Stewart.In classic Baluch main carpet condition,but with much "acceleration".

VASE HARSHANG-MULTI ROWS.

122

122)Published in Hali 34,VIII,by "Afghanistan`s Nomadic Rugs"a party working out of Atlanta Georgia,and carefully analysed by George O `Bannon,in Oriental Rug Review`s Baluch edition(Vol.9-2,1989)An exciting rug with iridescent green,farmyard fowl,trees,latchhooks, etc etc.Size 182 x 274 cm.

123

123)A wildly eccentric rug ripened by Logwood orange-reds.Non-sequential border.The birds clearly link it to the bagmakers of the same guild.With Basha,published in Castriota 7.Size 251 x 368 cm.

124

124)A relaxed interpretation with Herrmann Fink of Tarim Gallery.

125

125)Published by David Black in "Wandering Baluchi",plate 27.Small areas of blue cotton.Size 173 x 260 cm.

126

126)As in the preceeding example,the lower half of the Harshangs have here been woven with birds-heads.This would seem to be the classic form of the Baluch Harshang.Besim,Mythos & Mystik,plate 19.Size 166 x 294 cm.

127

127)A primitive and powerful interpretation with the dealer Hakiemie.

128

128)A Four-row model,unsold at Rippon Boswell on 29 November 2008(Lot 82)Size 162 x 297 cm.

129

129)Here the blue ground has been almost completely removed producing a virtually allover vase design.With difficulty,the Harshang claws can be made out above the vases.A star-bagfront border and bleached,monochrome palette.At Nagels on 17 November 1978(Lot 146)A similar carpet was published in Kiss,Aladar plate T.170.Size 209 x 340 cm.

VASE HARSHANG-LATCHHOOK FIELD.

130

130) At Rippon Boswell on 15 November 2003(Lot 124)Sold for 4500€.Size 206 x 382 cm.

130A

130A)The first publication of such carpet,in the catalogue to the Vienna Exhibition,1892,plate 126.

131

131)Now in the Fine Arts Museum,San Francisco.Attributed(in Hali 128-82)to the southern Afghan town of Chakhansur,where,according to Parsons,very simplified versions are still made.BOT.Size 297 x 457 cm.

132

132)Exhibited by David Black in London,1983.See Hali 1983-5-4-504.

133

133)The Meyer-Müller carpet sold at Christies on 11 September 1990(Lot 126)for $6600.Re-appeared at Skinners on 23 October 2010(Lot 71)A good example with crowned Kochak medallion.Size 211 x 300 cm.

135

135)At Skinner on 29 April 2000(Lot 6)From a Connecticut collection.Sold for $2070.Size 175 x 274 cm.

136

136)Published by both Shiv Sikri and Ben Banayan,with thick latchhook treatment(not the type,though,associated with the standard Mushwani design)

VASE-HARSHANG MEDALLION

VASE HARSHANG MEDALLION-1 ROW.

137

137)Few such rugs have been published.Baluch Studies,Facebook Group,on 13 July 2016.

138

138)Two small rugs,one with Owen Parry and the other in the V&A (T172-acquired 1937)

VASE HARSHANG MEDALLION-2 ROWS.

139

139)Shown at Minasians 2000-2001(see Hali 114-114)this carpet later entered the collection of Joseph Fell and was auctioned at Sothebys New York on 19th May 2011(Lot 133)for $5000.Size 193 x 257 cm.

140

140)Advertised by Seref Ozen.Size 223 x 274 cm.

141

141)Advertised by George Gilmore,Hali 145-49.Also seen with Jon Terry.Size 216 x 279 cm.

142

142)From a group featuring white rosettes.With Najib Burgai.

143

143)With Hadi Maktabi.Woven in two halves?

144

144)An unusual variant with Gölli-Göls.With Jon Terry.

2 ROWS-SIMPLE REPEAT.

145

145)A selection of carpets from this group of simplified floor items.From our Flickr presentation:rugtracker

146

146)With Agnes Semmler,Facebook.

2 ROWS-with 1 large medallion.

147

147)Unusually the medallion has been placed at the top,perhaps indicating a prayer direction.But see Nr.216.Ike Eisenhart Collection E.13.29.Size 170 x 305 cm.

148

148)The medallion form relates this group to the "Trees and Eagles" batch(see 198 et al)With Owen Parry.

149

149)Sold for $2070 at Skinner on 18 September 1999(Lot 18)Size 144 x 259 cm.

3 ROWS.

150

150)Its ethereal quality enhanced by poor condition.Bonhams 7 October 2008(Lot 138)Also seen with James Cohen.Size 198 x 321 cm.

151

151)A 4-and-1 composition from the Sarzetakis Museum on Corfu.

152

152)A main carpet in pristine condition,whose high estimate presumably prevented it selling.At the Dorotheum on 14 September 2010(Lot 189) Estimate 10-12,000 €.Size 220 x 338 cm.

153

153)Exhibited by Mike Hawes at the Hali Fair in 2001.See Hali 118-138.

154

154)Unsold at Rippon Boswell on 25 May 2019(Lot 62)against an estimate of 3000€.Size 210 x 348.

155

155)With Seref Ozen.

156

156)A bland main carpet with the dealer Raza.

4 ROWS.

157

157)And six Vase-Harshangs.Published on Facebook,Baluch Studies group.

VASE-HARSHANG-MEDALLION-LATCHHOOK.

158

158)McCoy Jones Collection,De Young Museum San Francisco.Published in the Hajji Baba Baluch catalogue of 1974(plate 20) and in Hali 25,page 16.Size 213 x 284 cm.

159

159)An unusual layout,with latchhooks.Published by Brian MacDonald in Hali 183-117,and in his 2017 edition of "Tribal Rugs" Carefully ornamented.Size 208 x 292 cm.

160

160)Saved by William Eisenhart on Pinterest.With one large latchhook containg a Memling göl.

160A

160A)At Phillips on 24 February 1987(Lot 72)Sold for 720 GBP.Size 198 x 322 cm.

VASE HARSHANG-OTHERS.

161

161)With Vase Harshang-Medallions and Triangular "fin" cartouches.At Sothebys(Islamic Sale) on 17 October 1984(Lot 587)Size 183 x 338 cm.

VASE HARSHANG WITH MEMLING GÖL.

162

162)The Elysian Fields of Baluchistan.First appearance at Lefevre on 17 May 1974(lot 38);again at Lefevre on 3 October 1975(Lot 35)where it was sold for GBP 1550.Published by Frank Diehr in Treasured Baluch Pieces,plate 87.Now with William Eisenhart,E.16.12.Size 197 x 292 cm.

HARSHANG WITH WHITE-SPOKED MEDALLION.

163

163)Published in "Tribal Visions" by Peter Saunders,plate 13,1980.Appeared at the ICOC,see Oriental Rugs from Atlantic Collections,plate 307.Published by Murray Eiland in "Oriental Rugs"2008,plate 104.Also exhibited at the Marketplace Design center for the 1997 ICOC,see Hali 91-107,then DeWitt Mallary Collection.Size 180 x 269 cm.

164

164)Now in the MAK Vienna,published A.Völker 2001,plate 148.Size 200 x 325 cm.

165

165)Sold at Bonhams on 10 October 2006 (Lot 132) for 1200 GBP.Later with Jay Nazmiyal and Raven Black.Size198 x 244 cm.

166

166)With Basha,published Castriota plate 1.All three of these carpets feature a "Crowned-Kochak" medallion in the field.Size 182 x 269 cm.

167

167)A rug employing a simplified form.At the AAC on 15 December 2018(Lot 64)Sold for 575€.Size 120 x 166 cm.

168

168)Advertised by Augusto Rillosi.

MEDALLIONS.

HOOKED CARTOUCHES 6 MEDALLIONS.

169

169)William Eisenhart Collection E.13.64.Size 126 x 220 cm.

170

170)Published by Rubia Darya on Facebook.

171

171)Unsold at Bonhams on 6 October 2009(Lot 169)Size 219 x 355 cm.

MULTI MEDALLIONS.

ALLOVER SIMPLE REPEAT.

172

172)With Bolour.

173

173)With Basha,published Castriota plate 9.Size 193 x 335 cm.

174

174)Published by Frank Diehr in his first catalogue,the rug is said to bear two numbers on its back,one reading 1899.Size 132 x 180 cm.

175

175)At Nagel on 27 May 2008(Lot 3230).Sold for 200€ UV.Size 183 x 254 cm.

176

176)At the Homer Baluch Sale,Christies 11 September 1990(Lot 48)This and the following piece both feature a bag-front design as border.Size 168 x 290 cm.Sold for $2640.See Hali 54-172.

177

177)Sold for 3700 Mark at Nagel on 23 April 1977(Lot 93); 2200 GBP at Lefevre on 20 February 1981(Lot 71);and for ¢4750 at Sothebys on 13 December 1986(Lot 82)Size 193 x 292 cm.

177A

177A)ebay sale March 2006.

178

178)Published in Coen-Duncan,The Oriental Rug,plate 2.Elegant Naldag border.Size 206 x 340 cm.

178A

178A)At Lefevre on 31 October 1980(Lot 36);and Sothebys on 14 October 1981(Lot 157)Khaf-Göl secondary.Size 216 x 328 cm.

MEDALLION-LATCHHOOK,2 ROWS.

179

179)Published by Diehr(Treasured Baluch Pieces)plate 60,who refers to the 3 medallion version in Boucher(here plate 186)With many strewn field elements.Size 156 x 265 cm.

180

180)On Facebook,Baluch Studies,Jack Young.

181

181)Published by Gary Wisdom,plate 20.With less field decoration.Size 167 x 233 cm.

182

182)Once sold on Liveauctioneers for 100€.

183

183)With Gary Gartenberg,Baluch Studies 5 May 2017.

184

184)At Nagel on 17 November 1978(Lot 136)Size 195 x 268 cm.

185

185)On ebay 8 August 2006.

MEDALLION-LATCHHOOK,3 ROWS.

186

186)A model of refined ornament,with two large Baluch birds(like an advertisement:"we make bags").Boucher catalogue plate 60.Size 200 x 241 cm.

187

187)Published by the German dealer Merx.Again,with the bird-sign.

SINGLE-FILE MEDALLIONS.

188

188)At Rippon Boswell on 19 May 2012(Lot 117)and 30 November 2013(Lot 16)-both times unsold.Now with William Eisenhart.Size 101 x 204 cm.

189

189)With its three variant medallions this is surely the most unusual of type.The top medallion seems to be a Memling improvisation.The border of "Octagon-S" can be seen in the field of a group of bags,thus demonstrating the modular nature of Baluch weaving.Boucher Collection,plate 55.(also Ghereh 12-73)Size 109 x 180 cm.

190

190)At Finarte on 16 November 2004(Lot 125)The star border shows the proximity to the Khorjin makers.112 x 178 cm.

191

191)With Noah Bolour.Ovadan border and white petal center.

192

192)With Mete Mutlu.

193

193)The correlation between physical size and design has not yet been fully investigated...this piece is wider than most Single-File carpets.At Nagels on 27

May 2008(Lot 3228)Sold for 250€,UV.Size 129 x 190 cm.

194

194)With four medallions and whiteground Ovadan border.With Herrmann Fink,Tarim Gallery.

195

195)With four medallions.Marvadim Gallery.

196

196)Unsold at Nagel on 8 November 2005(Lot 299)Size 106 x 254 cm.

197

197)Rare runner size.With Veysel Oktay.

SINGLE MEDALLIONS-TREES & EAGLES.

198

198)With Clive Loveless in 1989.See Hali 45-59.Size 173 x 270 cm.

199

199)With George Gilmore in 2016.See Hali 188-65.Size 114 x 193 cm.

200

200) At Nagel on 3 November 1979(Lot 79A)Sold for 1800 Marks.Size 136 x 208 cm.

201

201)Shown at ACOR 5 by Richard Purdon,later with Conan Brooks.Size 185 x 290 cm.

202

202)Described as a"traditional Garden design"At Phillips on 15 April 1986(Lot 202)Size 127 x 207 cm.

203

203)With the late Ron Hort in 2006.See Hali 145-50.Size 152 x 305 cm.

204

204)Most examples in this group have the Baluch Harshang medallion in the center,this has a Memling göl.At Skinner on 28 April 2001(Lot 56)Sold for $1150.Size 139 x 205 cm.

205

205)Sarzetakis Museum Corfu.Memling medallion.

206

206)With Ben Banayan.Memling medallion.

207

207)With anatolianpicker.Memling medallion.

208

208)With pronounced Bij Majnun design at the base.Sold at Skinner on 13 September 1997(Lot 34)for $1840.Size 157 x 231 cm.

SINGLE MEDALLIONS-OTHERS.

210

210)On an allover snowflake lattice field,with animal processions.A 3-petal arabesque border and Turkmen minor guards.Advert Jon Terry,Hali 88-119(1996)Size 165 x 251 cm.

211

211)Published by Eskenazi in il Tappeto Orientale,plate 245.The border is an allover medallion field design.Size 160 x 245 cm.

212

212)At Skinner on 5 December 2009(Lot 278)Sold for $1185.Size 162 x 256 cm.

213

213)Robert Aigin,via Knights Antiques.

214

214)A charming rug sold on ebay.com by the vendor "oldandnewrugs" on July 2012.

215

215)At Nagel/Varia) on 5 March 1979(Lot 2528a)

216

216)Brian MacDonald,Samarkand Galleries,Hali 79-138.Size =.91 x 300 cm.

TWO ROW MEDALLIONS.

217

217)At Nagel in 1978.Very good condition.Size 178 x 242 cm.

218

218)Published by Bradford Ross,Facebook.Quite a few of these pieces feature Memling secondaries.Simplified Saryk border.

219

219)Published Diehr,Treasured pieces,79.With two types of medallion.Simurgh borders.Size 180 x 275 cm.

220

220)At Rippon Boswell on 19 May 2007,unsold.Size 201 x 290 cm.

221

221)Published by Klaus Frantz in Sammler Journal,September 1975,page 333.An early market report which is still worth reading.This carpet was estimated at DM 3200.Size 134 x 242 cm.

222

222)At Lefevre on 27 November 1981(Lot 54)The secondary göl has been fashioned out of an Octagon S-type bagfront.Sold for 650 GBP.Size 177 x 340 cm.

223

223)With two Kochak-crown medallions.At Phillips on 7 June 1988(Lot 77)Size 204 x 290 cm.

224

224)With Joel van Lennep,Facebook.

225

225)With Simon Knight,UK dealer.

MUTANT PALMETTES.

226

One design occasionally appears in the group of Yacub Khani main carpets.Called the "mutant Palmette" here,it is actually a Harshang design turned sideways,and with its flames turned into animal heads.It occurs on the Prince of Wales carpet from Birdwood,and on a carpet fished from the internet.(226)

229

It also showed up on a carpet with Sorgato,and one at Skinner(229)

230A

A stylised,anthropomorphic form seems to be a further development.Such a design found its way into the Vienna catalogue of 1891(230A)

230

231

It can be seen as an allover design in two carpets once with Ben Banayan(230 & 231)

234

It seems to have been subsequently fused with a Turkmen kochak design(234-from Besim and Hajizadeh-Anil Menon Collection)

233

A creepy-crawly version appears on Hans Ritters main carpet,as well as on the Grogan carpet(233)

235

One last variation transforms the Harshang Palmette into an eagle form,as in two carpets which appeared at Lyon & Turnbull(235)

PRAYER RUGS.

In most Afghan prayer rugs,the spandrels have been banished to the upper left and right-hand corners.In prayer rugs from other areas,they are integrated into the mihrab zone.When the borders follow the shape of the field,this creates a stereoscopic effect,as if carpets had been lain on top of each other.The field itself imitates the shape of a salt-bag.This indigenous concept is not found elsewhere,and was surely developed in a professional workshop.

EAGLES.

A design also used on rugs and carpets,as well as a noble group of Balisht.

236

236)McCoy Jones Collection,Fine Arts Museum,San Francisco.Described by Robert Pittenger as the earliest example,it is certainly the most free-floating.The group chiefly uses octagon-star forms,known from bag-fronts, for the main border.Published Hajji Baba Catalogues 1972 and 1974,and Hali 102 page 78.Size 0.97 x 127 cm.

237

237)Steven Cadenhead Collection,published Atlantic Collections plate 301.Size 106 x 142 cm.

238

238)In 1940 Amos Thacher described this rug as having"crude design and somber colors"In fact the design is highly sophisticated and the colour refined,albeit in a reserved manner.Later with Robert Pittenger,published:Skein Through Time,plate 38.

239

239)Published by David Hunt,Baluch Studies,Facebook,9 November 2016.

240

240)Published Baluch Studies,Facebook group,12 June 2016.

241

241)Robert Bell Collection.

242

242)Published by David Sorgato,Baluch,2007,plate 51.Size 111 x 136.

243

243)with Basha,published Hali 102-102.Size 102 x 152 cm.

244

244)Sold at Lefevre on 29 May 19818(lot 70) for 950 GBP.Alternative border.Size 114 x 147 cm.

KHAF MEDALLION.

245

245)Shown at the 8th ICOC by Robert Pittenger.Its design is reminiscent of the snowflake photos of Bentley.Its relation to the main group is tenuous,however.Published Hali 91-107;Atlantic Collections 298.Size 112 x 114 cm.

246

246)The classic so-called "Khaf Göl",a term introduced by Wegner.A weighty piece,hard to believe it is a mere 80 x 111 cm in size.Published Diehr,Treasured Baluch Pieces,plate 37.

247

247)Published by Brian MacDonald in "Tribal Rugs",and described as one of his all-time favourites,this rug shows more Persian influence with the insertion of a Big-Leaf tree in the mihrab and the Turkmen inner guard.Size 86 x 130 cm.

248

248)With Patrick Pouler.

249

249)A rare red-ground example with Anil Menon.

THE SKINNER WORLD RECORD TYPE.

250

Kazak-Neyriz

Aynard prayer rug,Doha

Sissinghurst Castle

250)This group of five rugs are named after a rug which brought a world record price(still unsurpassed at auction)at Skinner on 21 September 1996(Lot 126)The Hali APG(Hali 90-125)compared it to a Tree Kazak,although there seem to be no such pieces in a prayer format.Equally its basic ground plan may be derived from a Neiriz tree carpet,of which there are also no known prayer examples(250A)The tree-prayer rug design is known in classical Indian carpets though,such as the Aynard shrub carpet now in Doha(250B)An Iranian fragment in Sissinghurst Castle contains all pertinent elements.Perhaps the design concept evolved in a Herat workshop:it is evidently a Baluch creation.The Skinner rug relates to a group of Balisht to be later discussed.At the base of the central tree are two classic Harshang palmettes,halved.When these are turned they form the basis for the forms seen in 255 & 256,a related group.Sold for $20,700.Said to have been purchased by Asad Khan.Size 107 x 117 cm.

251

251)Published by Frank Diehr in Three Dusty Dozen,page 43.Size 120 x 135 cm.

252

252) With Michael Black.

253

253)Richard White Collection.Size 113 x 145 cm.

254

254)A softer rendition,which paves the way for the coming group of 255-256.Sold a t Nagel on 12 May 1998(Lot 191) for 17000 DM.Size 107 x 133 cm.

TREES & EAGLES.

255

255) A softer,more delicate approach was taken by the workshop which wove Nrs. 255 and 256,although they are clearly related to the Skinner piece.The Palmettes have been turned to face frontally,and the direction of the branches is horizontal,not diagonal.There is more emphasis on the trunk of the tree.The running dog has been replaced by a Turkmen border.Published in:Through the Collectors Eye,plate 37;Atlantic Collections 299;and Hali 93 page 81.Size 0.81 x 108 cm.

256

256)With Stephen Maeck in 1989,published in Hali 48,page 104.Size 0.76 x 117 cm.

ATANAK BORDER.

A group characterised by its use of the Atanak whiteground border.Often seen in Yomut and Eagle Group Turkmen weavings,especially Khalyk and Kapunuk,but also torbas.Quite standardised,three out of four have similar flatwoven skirts.

257

257)Published by Gary Wisdom,plate 49.Acquired from George Gilmore,see Hali 115,page 121.Size 0.91 x 152 cm.

258

258)Sold at Skinner on 6 December 2008 (Lot 164) for $2844.Size 0.91 x 147 cm.

259

259)At the Allen Memorial Art Museum,published Hali 102-81.Size 109 x 135 cm.

260

260)With Brian MacDonald.

BIG-LEAF DESIGN.

262

262)At Skinner on 20 April 1996(Lot 58)Later Mark Hopkins Collection(see Hali 93-82)Unusual for having only one small border.Size 0.66 x 91 cm.

263

263)Published by Roger Gardiner in-Oriental Rugs from Canadian Collections-1975,plate 68.Size 131 x 137 cm.

264

264)At Skinner on 23 April 1994(Lot 126).Sold for $7475.Published in Hali 73,page 66.See also Hali 75-131.Size 112 x 157 cm.

VASE-HARSHANG PRAYER.

A number of prayer rugs feature design elements from the Yacub Khani main carpets.

265

265)With Anil Menon,published Facebook.

265A

265A)Published by Brian MacDonald on his website(BM/GD)

266

266)With James Cohen.

267

267)At Nagel(Varia 321) on 5 December 1987(Lot 4015)

268

268)With Patrick Pouler.

269

269)Brian MacDonald.

270

270)Published by David Sorgato in-Baluch-plate 52.Size 83 x 149 cm.

271

271)Boucher Collection,published Hajji Baba Christmas Exhibition 1974,plate 5.Attributed to Zabol.Size 76 x 1.21 cm.

BALISHT-TREE DESIGN.

PALMETTES AT BASE.

272

272)Boucher Collection.Unpublished in his catalogue,but see Hali 123-98.Size 48 x 117 cm.

273

273)Alan Goldstein Collection,published Atlantic Collections,plate 300.Size 45 x 83 cm.

274

274)At Nagel on 25 May 1979(Lot 46)Actually the exception here-a small rug.Size 97 x 143 cm.

275

275)At the Homer sale,Christies 11 September 1990(Lot 72)Silk Highlights.Size 48 x 84 cm.

276

276)At Skinner on 1 June 1991(Lot 91)Sold for $1980.See Hali 59-172.Size 48 x 86 cm.

277

277)Advertisement Clive Loveless,Hali 34,1987-IV.Size 54 x 92 cm.

278

278)Advertisement Mark Santos,Hali 92-126,1997.Size 53 x 86 cm.

279

279)With Seref Ozen.

280

280)Published in Patterns of Persia,1979 plate 16;Diehr,TreasuredBaluch Pieces,plate 75;and Canadian Collections II,Collection Terry King.Size 48 x 87 cm.