Half of a small double bag, this piece was sold to me by a dealer in England. It is unusual and comparatively finely woven; the white ground in the field and the horsemen carrying torches (see entry on a previous Afshar bag) suggest that it may have been a wedding or celebratory gift. The form of the tree in the middle, with the parrot-like birds, is also uncommonly detailed for a chanteh (compared, for example, with the Qashqa'i 'tree of life' in an earlier posting). It has had much use, and the colours - which are natural, as far as I can make out - have faded in the sun. The back has been strengthened at the top and bottom by strips of leather, and there is a tiny patch over a hole. A metal disc, presumably an amulet or religious medal, is visible in the right top corner. It measures 12" by 15".
