a beautiful and rather rare silk embroidered Phulkari ceremonial fan Central Asia . Dating to early 1900’s, Pulkari textiles were made in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan and likely in or around Swat Valley. Often their textiles boasted floss silk embroideries with beautiful geometric floral designs in lavish and dazzling colours. Often their textiles came in the form of bed covers, shawls and garments and at core were bridal dowry offerings. But it is very very rare to see an old Pulkhari ceremonial fan, especially one so intricately made as this example. The fan itself is made as basket weave with its thick borders embellished with fine silk embroidery and a diamond insert in the field with with further geometric embroidery. Both sides are embroidered but each boasting a unique design different from each other but equally beautiful. Gorgeous beaded tassels add to the tribal beauty. The pole of the fan is made of wood with metal inserts and tassels. In good overall shape with some smudge to the basket weave and natural age patina. a rare thing offered at a reasonable price for ethnographic textile collectors. Size: 58cm x 27cm (23” x 11”) the pole included. ….. (If you message via rugrabbit and don’t get a response within 24 hours, then your message hasn’t got to us so please email directly to: istalificollections@outlook.com )