Double Heybe Saddle Bag with Metallic Threads

wool, copper & brass coated cotton, c. 1880, Reyhanli (Southern Anatolia); slit-tapestry construction with weft-wrapping, the faces featuring large central hexagons filled with small crosses and edged with latch-hook and S shaped motifs, with striped backing, braided fringe along upper edges.
23 x 50 in. when open flat
An almost identical bag can be found in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2015.490.29, and their tests on the metallic thread of their bag revealed that the thread originated in Europe, material evidence of the interwoven journey of the textiles trade across the world.
From the Collection of the late Mr. & Mrs. Paul and Betty Mushak, Durham, North Carolina
Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Some wear to edges and fringe, otherwise excellent condition