A rare east Anatolian kilim baby carrier

A Shavak tribe turik baby carrier from Tunceli in Anatolia

A rare example of a late 19th to early 20th century Shavak Tribe baby carrier called a turik from the Tunceli area of central east Anatolia under the Munzur mountains. Made using a fine soumac weaving technique on the patterned from and a kilim flat weave technique on the striped back. 

Tunceli is known for animal breeding and the Shavak Tribe for its high quality shiny wool as used for the fine soumac weave on the front of this 'turik' baby carrier. The bag is woven with fine sheep wool with natural dyes, including intense cochineal red and indigo blue with finely spun cotton used in the white triangular bands, on a natural sheep wool foundation.

The last illustration below of such a bag in use is in Jon Thompson, 'Carpet Magic', this example woven in two panels on a narrow loom (thanks to Lars j for this reference) and see also Josephine Powell, 'Nomads in Anatolia: Encounters with a Vanishing Culture' for another example. The rectangular form of Shavak Tribe baby carriers distinguishes them from other east Anatolian baby carriers as woven in Van and Hakkari which are triangular in shape.

See more photos of this Shavak Tribe baby carrier and other antique Anatolian kilims on www.kilim.ie