Salt & Bread Bags, Silk throws and more

Below is a selection of various items we have.  All are handmade from Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

Bread bags are made of wool and used to carry around the flat, round bread eaten in Afghanistan and Pakistan. One side is usually a carpet and the other side is usually a kilim.  Salt bags, also made of wool,  have are narrow on top and square or rectangular on the bottom.  This shapes helps to ensure that the salt does not easily fall out of the  bag.  People carry the salt from the mountains in these bags which are usually thrown over the backs of horses or donkeys.  Donkey bags have two pockets and are slung over the donkey's back.  They are still in use today. 

Zango are baby cradles. Two pieces of wood are placed on either end inside the bag to keep it open; the inside is lined with cloth or cotton-wool and then baby is put in. The zangos are tied onto the side of the  bed. Because they hang freely, the baby is often gently swung to ease them to sleep.

The 100% silk shawls come from Baluchistan, Pakistan on the border with Afghanistan.  These embroidered shawls are made by young women to give as wedding presents to their friends.  It is made from thin, "parachute" silk.

 

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_003; Sold

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_052

Salt bag; Sb0507_004

Woman's bag with zundes from Qal eh - ye Now; Wb0507_005

Donkey Bag from Herat; Db0507_006

Zango from Qal eh - ye Now; Zb0507_001

Salt Bag from Herat; Sb0507_ 008. Sold

Salt Bag from Herat; Sb0507_ 009. Sold

Salt Bag from Herat: Sb0507_ 010; Sold

Zango from Qal eh - ye Now; Zb0507_011

Woman's bag; Wb0507_012

Woman's bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Wb0507_013

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_014

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_015

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_016

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_017

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_018

Zango from Qal eh - ye Now; Zb0507_019

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_020

Salt Bag from Herat; Sb0507_ 021

Salt Bag from Herat; Sb0507_ 022

Woman's bag from Qal eh-ye Now; Wb0507_023

Woman's bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Wb0507_024

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_025

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_026; Sold

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_027

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_027

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_028

Bread bag from Qal eh - ye Now; Bb0507_029

Woman's bag from Qal eh-ye Now; Wb0507_010

Woolen caps worn by men from Chitral, northern Pakistan. In white, tan and light brown. Cc1206_001

Hand-embroidered coin purse, draw-string top. Pd1206_001

Hand-embroidered coin purse, draw-string top. Pd1206_002

Hand-embroidered wallet, with zipper compartment. This and 002 are just two samples; we have many more designs. Pw1206_001

Hand-embroidered wallet, with zipper compartment. Pw1206_002

Embroidered silk shawl. These are made by young women as wedding presents for their friends. Ss1206_001

Embroidered silk shawl. Ss1206_002

Embroidered silk shawl: Ss0507_001; Sold

Embroidered silk shawl: Ss0507_002

Embroidered silk shawl: Ss0507_003

Embroidered silk shawl: Ss0507_004

Embroidered silk shawl: Ss0507_005

Embroidered silk shawl: Ss0507_006