PLATE TWO
Archaic Group
Size: 11 ft. 3 in. x 2 ft. 5 in.
337.5 cm. x 72.5 cm.

Plate One is animated and vibrant, quite unlike the serene presence of Plate Two. Visual differences aside, the similarity of materials, spinning, weaving, and dyeing all lead to the conclusion that these two kelims were woven contemporaneously, possibly by the same weaver. Were they made as a pair or is each half of a different pair? This question and in fact the larger issue of whether or not Plates Four or Five also had a matching other half can not be answered at this time. It is this writers opinion that the Archaic group kelims made in this format were, like later examples, also made in pairs. But unlike the later examples, these halves were designed to be viewed alone and not necessarily as part of a pair. Originally, they may have been displayed draped over a large object which created two panels, where each half appeared as a self-contained image.

The designs on these slit-tapestries are very different, as each was influenced by different styles of deity representation - Plate One utilizing the earlier prehistoric style and Plate Two the later historic style. This stylistic difference was based on the change from female or goddess centered beliefs to male or god centered. Such a change is well supported by the archaeological record, male effigies are almost nonexistent until c.2500BC but afterwards become the predominant style. During this time period, the late Bronze Age, male dominance was responsible for the centralization of political, economic and military power. These new conventions replaced the previous social, political as well as religious orientation based on the earlier less developed Paleolithic/Neolithic models. The differences in the ways the major designs were drawn was directly tied to this changeover and these two weavings must have had an important significance within the confines of the strict weaving culture which produced them.




No photographs or text may be reproduced without the written consent of the copyright holder, the Weaving Art Museum, Inc.