19th Century Woolen Namad Felt, Afghanistan, 1890s

For millennia, Central Asian nomads relied on age-old designs. Felt, prized for its insulation and portability, featured prominently in their lives until its decline a few decades ago.

Essential within yurts, it often served as protective coverings for entrances. Originating from Sistan, an isolated area straddling Iran and Afghanistan, Namad felts have endured unchanged, adorned with ancient symbols. Their remarkable modernity stems from their isolation from urban decorative influences, preserving their remote motifs through the ages.

Afghanistan, end 1900s. Provenance: Altai Gallery Milano, certificate of authenticity supplied.