Antique Baluch pillow or balisht from Afghanistan. 88x51 cms

A fantastic antique balisht or pillow with a deep indigo field. A series of boteh motifs have been woven set against the blue background. The weaving is very fine, with a high knot count. The wool is soft and shinny. The back of the bag is woven in the kilim technique with just two colours and a simple horizontal motif. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 88×51 cms

Origin: Baluch tribe, Afghanistan

Date of weaving: 1940s

The pushti or balisht is a small narrow knotted and piled fronted bag used as a cushion or pillow. It is filled with down or cotton and then open and closed. It is then used as a back pillow or cushion.

The Baloch or Baluch are an Iranian people who live mainly in the Balochistan region, located at the southeasternmost edge of the Iranian plateau, encompassing the countries of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. There are also Baloch diaspora communities in neighbouring regions, including in India, Turkmenistan and the Arabian Peninsula.