Important Notice

KALAT-E NADERI, KHORASAN, IRAN, CIRCA 1970
Handspun and handwoven silk
55.75 x 56.5 in (142 x 144 cm) woven in two equal pieces


The people of Kalat-e Naderi, Khorasan, Iran, are of mixed Turkoman, Kurdi and Baloch lineage. They were known to travel across Central Asia with their double-humped camels. Now most of them are settled and live in Khorasan province in the north east of Iran. The women wear bright and colourful headscarves, along with a matching kneelength blouse and loose skirt (see image). The scarves are woven in two pieces and joined together to make a square. When folded and worn, the central panel covers the top of the head.

Jasleen Dhamija bought lots 52 and 53 directly from the woman in the photo, who was a fine weaver, and had made both these scarves in the early seventies. Similarly designed, the woven patterns are repeats of diamond designs arranged in diagonal rows enclosing a central square, with wide elaborate borders on either end. The red scarf in lot 53 has two shrines in the centre, suggestive of a mosque with a small central dome and two minarets on either side.

The women of this area are expert weavers. Lot 69 is woven by the same weaver and has patterns similar to those woven on the scarves.

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