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Akhorjin is a type of decorativecarpet bag made acrossGreater Iran andCentral Asia.[1]
Hand knottedcarpets and hand wovenkilims (flatwoven textiles) were made by various nomadic tribes of the Middle East and Central Asia, including theBaloch, theTurkmen, theAfshars, theBakhtyari, theQashqai, and theKurds, among others. The bags and the larger rugs were woven in the same techniques as The most common technique ishand-knotted pile, but many tribal bags were also done in the various flat woven techniques includingplain weave (kilim weave), soumac technique and other less common techniques.[citation needed] They range in size from small pouches for valuable personal possessions to largerhandbags andsaddlebags.[2]
Bags were used for transporting goods while on migration, and also served as storage containers to be used in the tent oryurt. There are also specialized bags such as bags for carrying mirrors, bags for carrying theQur'an, bags for carrying tent stakes and more. Often the bags are known by specific names based on the function they served. Some common bag names are "cuval" (camel bag), "khorjin" (double-sideddonkey bags), "taache" (grain bag), and "mafrash" (bedding bag) to name just a few.[citation needed]
The back panel of a bag will often have little or no design. On bags with knotted pile faces, the back of the bag will usually be executed in a plain wovenkilim technique.[citation needed]
Seen as a type ofOriental rug, khorjin have been sought after by collectors and museums in Europe, the United States and Japan since the late 19th century.[3]
From thecollectors point of view, the front or theface of the bag is much more interesting and more collectible. Often, with antique bags, the backs of the bag have been separated and discarded at some point and only the bagface remains.[citation needed]
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