ANNE WANNER'S Textiles in History   /  book reviews, articles
 
  Richard Hersberger Collection - Teppich-Bilder, vom Atlas bis Tibet, by Richard Hersberger and other authors, contributions of Gottfried Boehm, Basle, Christian Jaquet, Bern, Jürgen A. Adam, Munich; Muttenz 2004, in German, 87 p, illustrated in colour.
ISBN 3-9522894-1-8
     
  Richard Hersberger from Muttenz, Switzerland, travelled between 1950 and 1990 to several countries where nomadic carpets were produced. He specially preferred the Gabbeh from South Persia (Iran) and the Berbian carpets from Northern Africa. He discovered similarities in pattern and symbols in both regions although historical links between the two countries do not seem to have existed.
In this publication Hersberger shows nomadic carpets from different parts of the world with similar principles of design.
 
 

Beni M'Guild (Marocco), 185 x 140 cm,
around 1970, natural dyes,
the nomadic carpets of Northern Africa
often show no border lines

Gabbeh (Iran), 193 x 130, around 1940,
small symbols scattered in the unicoloured ground,
the reason for different shades is that
the same colour often cannot be found any more
when it is finished

     
 

Boujad (Marocco), 285 x 290 cm, around 1970,
geometric pattern are used
in Northern Africa as well as in nomadic tribes of Iran

Gabbeh (Iran), 174 x 100 cm, around 1970
     
 

Haut Atlas (Marocco), 195 x 113cm, around 1970,
this example is very exceptional, as in northern Africa
lions as motives are rarely used

Gabbeh (Iran), 170 x 110 cm, around 1970,
lions were honoured as guards of the water
for instance in the province of Fars south of Isphahan.
Lyons also represent power, courage, loyalty
 
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