Maffrash Panel From Karabakh, Armenia. Circa 1900. 100 X 60 Cm

A textile that appears to be sculpted rather than woven, a remarkable expression of Caucasian nomadic art....
A superb Karabakh mafrash panel, originating from Armenia in the Caucasus.
Mafrash are among the largest transport bags used by the nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples of Persia and the Caucasus. True textile chests, they were used to transport and then store household goods during travel.
This fragment is one of two large side panels that originally faced each other. It is crafted using the remarkable sumak technique—wool-on-wool—which is particularly well-suited to these pieces, which needed to combine durability with rich decoration.

The composition is striking for the density and precision of its geometric motifs. The extremely tight weaving of the motifs reveals great dexterity: outlines, hooks, and interlocking shapes stand out with such clarity that they seem almost carved into the fabric. This construction gives the panel a striking visual relief despite the absence of pile.

The vegetable dyes possess the depth and luminosity so characteristic of beautiful antique Caucasian pieces. The nuances contribute fully to the surface’s vibrancy and its authentic character.
Finally, the piece has come down to us in a state of preservation that borders on a miracle, given its age and original function.

Karabakh – Armenia, circa 1900 or earlier.
Soumak technique, wool on wool.

Dimensions: 100 × 60 cm

Laurent
Beauty of Kilims