Classic late 19th century Lakai embroidered okbash (kap ilgich) - sometimes referred to as a "shield bag". Very finely worked embroidery and good colors. The tassels were probably added later. Such hangings were made as dowry gifts meant to hang inside a Lakai yurt or other dwelling. This type might be considered to be a ceremonial okbash rather than a functional one. Okbash were used by many of the Central Asian yurt dwelling nomads - Turkmen, Khirgiz, Lakai, Uzbek... They could be made from felt, cloth, or woven in pile or a flat-woven structure. Okbash were made in pairs and used as a decorative covers for the ends of bundles of yurt roof struts during migration. They were also meant to be hung inside the yurt as decoration and for storage of various personal items. a piece such as this would have been the prized possession of any family that owned it and would have been passed down through generations. Size: 24 x 17 inches excluding tassels. Ex. John Wertime, Ex. Colorado private collection.