A wonderfully atmospheric antique Afghan Baluch balisht, dating to around the late 19th/early 20th century and now forming a spectacular large tribal cushion.

The richly hand-knotted wool face is centred by three bold geometric medallions, worked predominantly in deep madder red and very dark indigo-brown, with small flashes of blue, ivory and warm ochre. Multiple narrow geometric borders frame the central field, giving the textile an extraordinarily rich and layered appearance.

The reverse provides a fascinating contrast, constructed in traditional flatwoven wool with broad dark bands punctuated by narrow stripes of burnt orange, red and intricate multicoloured detailing.

Originally made as a balisht — a traditional tribal storage bag and pillow — pieces such as this were utilitarian objects intended for everyday use rather than purely decorative textiles. It is precisely that history which gives surviving examples their wonderful character today.

This is an authentic old textile with considerable wear. There are visible areas of pile loss and holes to the face, together with holes, wear, old repairs, fraying and losses to the flatwoven reverse and edges. Please study the photographs carefully. The cushion remains enormously decorative and the wear gives it the wonderfully timeworn character sought after in antique tribal textiles.

A fabulous interiors piece for a large sofa, daybed, bench or floor setting, and particularly striking displayed alongside other antique kilims and tribal textiles.

Origin: Afghanistan, attributed

Tradition: Baluch / Baluchi

Type: Balisht / tribal cushion-storage bag

Date: Circa 1900

Material: Handwoven wool

Dimensions: 41 × 21 inches (approx. 104 × 53 cm)

Condition: Heavily timeworn antique condition with holes, pile losses, wear, repairs, fraying and losses commensurate with considerable age and original tribal use.