Saddle bag c. 19th century

Editor: This is a Kurdish saddle bag, dating back to the 19th century, made of wool. I'm immediately struck by the intricate patterns and the repetition of geometric shapes. What kind of visual stories do you see woven into this piece? Curator: Indeed! Notice how the repeated diamond motifs ripple outward like echoes. Think about the saddlebag's journey, carrying goods and perhaps even secrets across vast landscapes. Those repeated geometric shapes, what do they whisper about cultural memory? Editor: Cultural memory? Like, shared symbols? Curator: Exactly. Certain colours, shapes, even the way the wool is spun - might these carry encoded meanings known within the Kurdish community? Consider also the functionality of a saddlebag. It bridges utility and artistry. Does that utilitarian purpose change how we interpret its symbols? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective! It’s not just decoration then, but communication? A blend of practical and symbolic languages? Curator: Precisely. We have layer upon layer of meaning, repeated in the pattern and possibly in the practical, daily rituals connected with its original purpose. I wonder, too, about the hand that made this – their skill but also their intent, as part of an established practice. What stories might this craft hold of continuity? Editor: It makes me consider all of the other similar saddlebags across the region—it’s like looking at a whole language of interwoven stories and heritage, far beyond the visual surface! Curator: A journey for the eyes and imagination!