Saddlebag with Scrolling Design

Artist

Baluch, Western Aghanistan (Afghan)

Date

Mid 20th century

Medium

Wool

Dimensions

Approximate : 22 x 57 in. (55.88 cm x 1.4 m)

Credit Line

Gift of Verne Trinoskey and Paula Armintrout Trinoskey

Object Number

2017.51.29

Label

Some people interpret the scrolling design featured on this saddlebag as a stylized image of flowing water, access to which is essential to the nomads and semi-nomads of Baluchistan. Other people think the design may derive from an earlier Central or Eastern Asian motif of coiling dragons that came to Afghanistan along the ancient Silk Road trade routes.