Exceptional highly elaborate Turcoman chapan (traditional Turkic overcoat). Typical black, yellow and red main colours of Turcoman tribes, here shown with extremely lavish and masterful embroidery at every possible point on this rare article. Charming multi coloured silk tassles with...

Ikat silk has a quality all its own due to the technique of pre dying threads before weaving, creating a not quite aligned pattern full of shimmery colour. Generous length and flowing sleeves give this robe great presence. The Nomads...

Turcoman chapan (Turcoman word for over coat) embroidered in black, red and yellow on plain black cotton with red gussets and other detail. The Nomads Tent collection of vintage and antique tribal costume. Many of these items were part of...

Typical of Turcoman textiles, the embroidery is in black, red and yellow, on ground material mainly of a deep green/black heavy hand woven cotton with red cuffs. Every stitch, seam, pleat and gusset is satisfying to behold. The Nomads Tent...

Typical black, yellow and red main colours of Turcoman tribes, here shown with fine embroidery and elegant silk tassels. Very long decorative sleeves. The Nomads Tent collection of vintage and antique tribal costume. Many of these items were part of...

Traditional sleeveless tunic worn by men of the Bakhiari and Lurs tribes of SW Persia. The Nomads Tent collection of vintage and antique tribal costume. Many of these items were part of our exhibition, ‘Textiles of the Southern Silk Route’....

This coat has a striking use of contrasting colours and a spectacular green silk embroidered collar. It is lined sumptuously with dramatically coloured silk. The Nomads Tent collection of vintage and antique tribal costume. Many of these items were part...

Lavishly intricately embroidered in typical brilliantly coloured cotton needle work with mirror work, and decorative trims. There may be flaws and blemishes as this is an old textile, previously used.

This exceptional tribal piece is from the Punjab, N. W. India. First half 20th century. Fine pulkari work uses expensive silk thread very sparingly, as can be seen on the back of this fine piece. The base is hand spun...

Mother of Pearl and Silver Bracelet

Mother of Pearl and Silver Bracelet

Exceptional Saddle Bag - Veramin, Persia, 2nd Quarter C20th. The best example of a saddle bag in our collection. Its in almost mint condition, woven with the best glossy wool and stunning colours. Little such weaving exists from after 1930 so this represents...

Salt Bag - Baktiari, SW Persia. Wool with cotton highlights. Baktiari weavers go for deep dramatic colours with pure white cotton for highlighted decoration.  Salt bags were used by shepherds to carry salt for their sheep when out grazing. They are intricate...

Unusual ‘Saph’, North West Frontier, Pakistan In this unusual textile the embroidered chain stitch design forms repeating mihrabs (arches). Many of these textiles were made and used a long time ago. A few may have minor fraying, discolouration, small tears,...

Ceremonial Horse Cover - Gujarat Substantial heavy textile made specially for a wedding ceremony. Many elaborate and brightly coloured horse trappings are made specially for weddings. Many of these textiles were made and used a long ago. A few may...

Embroidered panel - Gujarat The embroidery is silk and cotton interspersed with mirrors and calligraphy. The script bears further work to translate! The work and care expressed in this textile we’ll likely not see in the future as modernism and...

Pulkari stitch, fine silk needlework, for use as a baby’s cot cover. Many of these textiles were made and used a long time ago. A few may have minor fraying, discolouration, small tears, and loose threads. For a more detailed...

Embroidered panel - Gujarat Silk needle work on heavy cotton ground, arranged in open field form with a strong red frame. Backed with heavy Cotton. Some fraying due to use and age. Many of these textiles were made and used...

Yoke, Turcoman The prized part of a probably worn out dress from which it was removed. Showing the black and red which Turcoman tribes are noted for. Many of these textiles were made and used a long time ago. A...

Rabari Embroidered Panel - Gujarat Size: 76 x 35 cm

Kurdish Bazou Band - Silk on Cotton Size:  90 x 20 cm

Bukkni - Gujarat Rabari Embroidery from Kutch in West Gujurat Size: 133 x 18 cm

A combination of block printing and hand painting has been used to create this beautifully composed narrative from Hindu mythology. Size: 184 x 58 cm

Fine Cicim Spoon Bag - Yoruk (Nomads) of Anatolia. Early  C20th late C19th.

A dokra technique casting from West Bengal, possibly inspired by the sacred turtles of the Ganges. Note the various interesting figures surrounding the sides. Dokra: The name refers to a tribe famous for production of these castings in West Bengal....

Embroidered Turcoman chapan (traditional Turkic overcoat) with metal decorations. The long sleeves perhaps indicate the wearer had servants enough not to need to use his hands. Typical black, yellow and red main colours of Turcoman tribes, here shown in the...

Embroidery and mirror work with silk and cotton. Extensive loss of silk. The cotton body of the piece is in fair condition.

Mother of Pearl Bracelet

Embroidered panel, Gujarat. Naïve figures and circles embroidered in cotton and protected by a border of mirrors. Originally most likely a wall hanging.  Size: 181 x 88 cm

Saddle Bag -  Kurdish, W Persia A very fine Kurdish bag, early 20th century, fabulous colours of natural dyes. It is in almost mint condition, perhaps indicating it was so prized that it was not much slung over donkeys’ backs or stuffed...

Juval, (complete) Turcoman, NE Persia, early C20th Juval, probably one half of its original double form and, in transit, slung over a pack animal, this would be used for all sorts of artefacts, cloyjiong, bedding, grain etc. It displays very fine...

Unusual slightly abstract effect appears in the way the pattern (in wool) is formed over a white base (in cotton). The technique is known as sumak – which appears like embroidery but is formed as the piece is woven. The back shows more...

Salt Bag - Baktiari, Persia Wool with cotton highlights. Typical drama of Baktiari weavers. Diamond shapes such as we see here symbolise fertility in many tribal weavings. When a failed crop or a barren sheep could spell disaster, such expressions of hope...

Salt Bag, Afshar, Persia The decorative tassles on the shoulders of this bag make imaginative use of the warps left either side of the ‘neck’ of the salt bag before it came off the loom.   Salt bags were used by shepherds to...

Salt Bag, Baktiari, SW Persia Wool with cotton highlights. Typical drama of Baktiari weavers. Diamond shapes such as we see here symbolise fertility in many tribal weavings. When a failed crop or a barren sheep could spell disaster, such expressions of hope...

Ceremonial Horse Cover, Gujarat Substantial heavy textile made specially for a wedding ceremony. Many elaborate and brightly coloured horse trappings are made especially for weddings. Many of these textiles were made and used a long ago. A few may have...

Fine Lakai Cross Stitch Sagosha - Uzbekistan Used in tribal nomadic life, in a tent, to sit on top and hold together a pile of quilts. No corner of the tent was not worthy of care and decoration. Pride and...

Fine Lakai Cross Stitch Segosha - Uzbekistan Used in tribal nomadic life, in a tent, to sit on top and hold together a pile of quilts. No corner of the tent was not worthy of care and decoration. Pride and...

Lakai - Uzbekistan The size and directional format of this suggest it may have been conceived as a prayer mat. Plants and flowers are celebratory. ' Many of these textiles were made and used a long time ago. A few...

Embroidered Djoi Namaz, (Prayer Niche or Prayer Mat) Here in its simplest form, is the mihrab, the arch form focus of prayer representing the doorway or window between this world and the next. Many of these textiles were made and...

Fine Slant Stitch Needlework Embroidered Segosha - Lakai Used in tribal nomadic life, in a tent, to sit on top and hold together a pile of quilts. No corner of the tent was not worthy of care and decoration. Pride...

Kurdish Bazou Band Silk on Cotton. Size: 72 x 16 cm

Sivrihisar, Anatolia, late 20th Century.  Size: 470 x 170 cm