Vintage Qashqai bag or chanteh from Iran. 32x30 cms

Chanteh represents any small knapsack that is smaller than a saddle-bag. It is not usually a pair but a single independent item whether with a neck pendant band or, like a saddle bag, with a “lock and key”, and a “band and band-loops”. Tribal women weaved Chateh to provide a kind of wallet, knapsack or bag for their husbands and children. In the Chanteh they put money and provisions for the road, Chopogh (pipe with a long stem) and tobacco, cartridge and gunpowder poach, and other personal supplies and instruments…or things like scisors, needle, thimble etc. The coins, a small mirror and documents were also put in the chanteh.

Because of the special texture and personal use, the small chantehs follow almost no common rules and regulations; the weaving scheme, design and method vary as much as the dimensions and sizes. Also, due to the limitation of design space, the medallion and corner motifs, which is the principal motif for most rugs, it is very rare in most chanteh. The main motif is limited to one single pattern.

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 32×30 cms

Origin: Qashqai tribe from Iran

Date of weaving: 2000