Mafrash from the Shahsevan nomads.
Specially made from kilim fabric that they made in the tent on a primitive loom.
At the beginning of the 20th century about 100 years ago, these nomads were still traveling through
South Azerbaijan and northern Iran with their livestock.
These people lived very autonomously.
Livestock was the basis of their entire economy.
The women were socially powerful and made their carpets, kilims and soumacks from their own wool, dyed with homemade dyes from plants.
The tradition and patterns are centuries old.
Mafras were made with an open top and with a flap that could be fastened.
This one has an open top that I inverted and put over a box for the sculpture.
You can make your own box to use it as a bench.
A mafrash was made to serve as a bag to carry household goods in when the group moved on.
In the tent, it could serve to sit upside down (as pictured here) on as a bench or pouf.
Made for their own use and in a tradition where these women were proud of their culture and work which was reflected in the quality.
This mafrash is about 100 years old and still looks very fresh and flawless.
In very good condition.
The loops you see at the bottom are made of very strong horse hair and meant to close the Mafrash.
Specifications
ConditionExcellentColorsRedMaterialWoolNumber of items1Height45 cmWidth105 cmDepth55 cmSeat height45 cm