Treasures of the black tent: antique tribal rugs and dowry weavings of the Persian and central Asian nomads – Brian MacDonald

The audience is taken on a journey beginning in Outer Mongolia in the 5^th century BCE and follows the 11^th century migrations from Turkmenistan, the cradle of weaving, into the Caucasus, Persia and Afghanistan.  They will be introduced to the nomadic tribes of these countries and their woven rugs, carpets and dowry bags, with particular emphasis on those of the 19^th century and earlier.  These tribal weavings illustrate the skill of the women who produced exquisite works of woven art, using vegetable colours and age-old designs whilst living and travelling in primitive conditions and hostile landscapes.