Saddle Cover

Artist

Baluch, Salar Khani tribe, Northeastern Iran (Iranian)

Date

Late 19th century

Medium

Wool and silk

Dimensions

Work : 24 x 25 in. (60.96 x 63.5 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Verne Trinoskey and Paula Armintrout Trinoskey

Object Number

2019.25.25

Label

The quality of a weaving functions as an important marker of status in Baluchistan. Weavings made of fine wool with complex designs and dense piles represent significant investments of time and resources and are therefore considered indicators of wealth and high rank. This saddle cover is made of soft, lustrous wool with a few areas of silk highlights. It is densely woven with 200 knots per square inch and features an elaborate design that is associated with weavers of the Salar Khani Baluch tribe in northeastern Iran. The form of the weaving also makes it a status symbol since only wealthy, high-ranking men could afford to ride horses and decorate their saddles with woven covers.