Lakai 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 status is expressed...

The Hotamis of Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, descend from Turkmen tribes who emigrated Westwards from the steppes of Central Asia. This is a rare and very fine fragment, mounted on heavy cotton. Suitable as a hanging or to go on a...

Juval, (complete) Turcoman, NE Persia, early C20th Felt and applique bag, early 20th century, Turcoman. The well-used bag is a lovely decorative item as well as being an interesting and rare example of nomadic life, and textile art. Juval, probably...

Lakai 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 status is expressed...

Camel Head Dress, Lakai, North Afghanistan An elaborate ceremonial head dress for a camel, embroidered and decorated with coins, hair and wool tassels. Sizes measured when laid flat. Size: 86 x 42 cm  

Magnificent Baar Sankhiyo door way cover from the Ahir caste of Kutch, Gujarat, NW India. The elaborate embroidery and mirror work fills every square centimetre as if their could not be enough material to contain the enthusiasm of the person...

Qashqai camel head dress, SW Persia 1st half 20th century. In the UK and elsewhere in the West, the equestrian equivalent of this Qashqai camel trapping would be a bridle. What a different approach! Great skill and a great variety...

Indian pictorial hand printed cotton textile. Size: 189 x 117 cms

Kurdish Bag -  Eastern Turkey, 19th C Size: 71 x 39 cm

Lakai embroidered tent hanging, c 1950. Perhaps to be draped over a not so pretty pile of bedding or boxes, or hung, diagonally, to decorate a space. We are unsure of the significance of the two holes. The spacing perhaps...

Silk embroidered silk sari from NW India, Bengali weavers. This very fine, (and amazingly also hand woven) silk material is economically and subtly decorated with expensive silk yarn. Note the least seen part of the sari has little decoration.  Size:...

An exceptional tent band showing the weaver’s great skill and patience. For a mere functional item, we can barely imagine any equivalence in western culture. The band itself shows a remarkably intricate weaving technique known as warp faced inlay brocade....

A small wall hanging, embroidery on cotton ground,  representing the prayer niche or ‘mihrab’ associated with prayer in Islam. Namaz means prayer. From the exhibition at The Nomads Tent; ‘Textiles of the Southern Silk Route’. Some wear and abrasion of the...

Jainamaz or djoinamaz means prayer niche. The arch shape with its echo of gothic European architecture, represent the mihrab, facing Mecca and symbolising the window into heaven. Suitable as table cover or wall hanging.  Size: 144 x 84 cm

Saddle Bag - Bergama Yoruk, Anatolia, Turkey Kilim and sumac technique are both employed in this saddle bag, early 20th century. The less than perfect shape perhaps shows the tussle between displaying beauty to enrich their lives, and getting a functioning bag finished...

From the collection of Janet Harvey, and part of the The Nomads Tent ‘Textiles of the Southern Silk Route’ exhibition. The Nomads Tent collection of vintage and antique tribal costume. Many of these items were part of our exhibition, ‘Textiles...

Embroidered Turcoman chapan (traditional Turkic overcoat) with metal decorations, more for ceremonial occasions than everyday wear, with its long flamboyant sleeves and elaborate metal medalions attached to the front. Typical black, yellow and red main colours of Turcoman tribes, here...

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...

A silk chapan (a Turcoman term for an over coat), trimmed with fine embroidered collar and black and red edging. The sleeves are impractically long for arms and perhaps indicate the high status or wealth of the wearer, having servants...

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...

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...

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...

Embroidered Kanbe Bag - Kutch, Gujarat Very fine and compact embroidery in superb rich and harmonious colours completely covers both faces of this bag. It was probably a dowry bag originally. Many of these textiles were made and used a...

Kanbe Cot Cover - Gujarat Very fine chain stitch forming attractively laid out repeating design. 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...

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

Toran, Gujarat Used for decorating a door way or over a window, this is a joyful cermonial textile. Cotton and mirrorwork finely stitched embroidery. This is a vintage item. Size: 87 x 54 c

Toran - Ahir caste, Gujarat. Used for decorating a door way or over a window, this is a joyful cermonial textile. Cotton and mirrorwork finely stitched embroidery. This is a vintage item. Size: 62 x 53 cm

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

Toran - Gujurat Used for decorating a door way or over a window, this is a joyful ceremonial textile. Cotton and mirrorwork finely stitched embroidery. This is a vintage item. Size: 95 x 45 cm

Used for decorating a door way or over a window, this is a joyful ceremonial textile. Cotton and mirrorwork finely stitched embroidery. This is a vintage item. Size: 56 x 20 cm

Pantoram (door or window decoration) - Kutch, Gujurat Size: 54 x 67 cm

Tribal Trousseau - Gujarat Exceptional example. Used for decorating a door way or over a window, this is a joyful ceremonial textile. Cotton and mirrorwork finely stitched embroidery. This is a vintage item. Size: 100 x 52 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.

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...