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97
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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 knee-
length 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.
52Iranian weaver who has woven lots 52 and 53
53
RED SILK HEAD SCARF WITH
SHRINE MOTIF
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
$ 3,035 - 4,550
Rs 2,00,000 - 3,00,000
52
YELLOW SILK HEAD
SCARF
KALAT-E NADERI, KHORASAN,
IRAN, CIRCA 1970
Handspun and handwoven silk
53 x 53.5 in (135 x 136 cm)
woven in two equal pieces
$ 2,275 - 3,790
Rs 1,50,000 - 2,50,000
53