Baluchi eating mat or soffreh from Iran or Afghanistan
Object No. 2010/33/2
Both aesthetically and structurally this flatweave soffreh or eating cloth is an excellent example of weaving by the Baluchi women of eastern Iran and western Afghanistan. The colour palette of reds, blues and browns with white accents is typical of Baluchi rugs. Most soffreh, like this example, are roughly square in shape although Baluchi as well as Kurdish weavers from the same Khorasan region of eastern Iran also make long narrow ones. Characteristic of both square and long soffreh are the zigzag 'finger' designs in tapestry weave that ornament each side, while this example also features deep decorative borders in tapestry weave and complementary weft patterning at each end. Soffreh are primarily used as eating mats. Essentially ceremonial, in the sense that they were usually brought out on special occasions, soffreh are spread out on the floor and the diners sit cross-legged around them to eat. Food was served in the middle and the sides were often pulled over the knees of the guest or host. Because of their function as eating mats, most soffreh are subject to considerable wear, tear and washing and therefore have a relatively short life. This example however has survived in remarkably fine condition. The Baluch or Baluchi people who made this soffreh, are traditionally black-tent nomads who live in the area known as Baluchistan that straddles the borders between eastern Iran, west Pakistan and south west Afghanistan. This is some of the most inhospitable and desolate landscape on Earth; there is a saying that when Allah created the Earth he forgot about Baluchistan and made it from the leftovers. The name 'Baluch' means 'nomad' or 'wanderer' and they speak a language related to Iranian. It seems likely that the Baluch evolved long ago as a distinct group on the Persian plateau, arriving in dry and sparsely populated eastern Iran in the 1100s. There are a number of Baluchi subtribes and other tribes in the area whose weavings have similarities and which tend to be gathered together under the collective Baluchi label. Although the Baluchi were traditionally nomadic, producing the woven bags, rugs and trappings necessary to their mobile lifestyle, many of the rugs and flatweaves now generally identified as Baluchi were woven for commercial reasons by settled Baluchi tribes in villages in Iranian Khorasan. Christina Sumner, Principal Curator Design & Society March 2010
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Summary
Object Statement
Flatweave eating mat or soffreh, wool, hand woven by Baluchi woman in eastern Iran or north western Afghanistan, c.1920
Physical Description
Flatweave eating mat or soffreh, wool, hand woven by Baluchi woman in eastern Iran or north western Afghanistan, c.1920 A roughly square, finely woven, weft face flat weave soffreh with wool warp and weft. The rectangular plain weave central field is in rust red with the zigzag 'finger' design characteristic of soffrehs worked in tapestry weave in dark brown down either side. Deep decorative borders in tapestry weave and complementary weft patterning ornament each end. As is characteristic of Baluchi rugs and trappings, the colour palette overall consists of reds, blues and browns with white accents.
DIMENSIONS
Width
1000 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Soffreh are flatweave wool rugs mainly woven by the Kurds of Khorasan in eastern Iran as well as by the Baluchis who also inhabit Khorasan in eastern Iran and across the border into western Afghanistan. Soffreh are often square in shape, measuring a little over a metre on each side, although the Baluchis and the Kurds and Afshar people of Khorasan also weave long narrow soffreh which feature the same characteristic zigzag fingers down the sides of the field together with elaborately decorative borders at each end. The making of soffrehs provided an opportunity for the weaver to exhibit her skill and dexterity in a range of flat weave techniques such as the plain tapestry weave, supplementary weft, weft float and twining used in this example. The weft face plain weave of the central field was achieved through using a fine red wool weft beaten firmly to cover the more widely spaced warp, with the triangular fingers down each side worked in plain tapestry weave. Tapestry weave has also been used to produce striking interconnected diagonal bands in the deep border while complementary weft float patterning in red, blue and white create firm floral and geometric bands in the border. Sometimes knotted pile was used for the border of a soffreh, but the field remained invariably monochromatic and flat woven, sometimes with the use of a small animal motif. Typically, fine old Baluchi weavings used wool in just four colours: brown, madder reds, indigo blue and ivory. Goat hair was used as hard-wearing selvedge threads and undyed camel hair was sometimes used for knotted pile areas.
HISTORY
Notes
The soffreh was purchased in Sydney between 1979 and 1982 by the donor Dr George Soutter AM, a retired pediatrician. Dr Soutter, who grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), first became interested in rugs as a medical student in South Africa and has collected rugs, carpets and textiles for many years.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Dr George Soutter AM, 2010
Acquisition Date
7 May 2010
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