Salt Bag (3rd quarter19th century)         Sumakh and Jajim (Azarbayjan)           A New Phenomenon by Miri Creation           Introduction           The distinguished aspects of hand woven art/crafts of Central Asia and especially Iran are not only embodied in the variety of designs, colors and artistic styles but are also manifested in diverse methods of weaving. The reason behind such variety is rooted in the very fact that Iran, more than any other country in Middle East and Near East has always been a land of diverse ethnicities with distinct cultural aspects like language, music, costume and artistic skills in hand woven art/works.             To examine this significant fact through the lenses of history and historic events, we can realize that most of the neighboring ethnic groups living in the countries neighboring Iran were only separated from their relatives by the imposition wars or an historical event which resulted into conventional geographical borders. They are not called Iranians today, but the similarity between their cultural traits and their artistic styles corroborates the steadfastness of their kinship. One of these cases is the Transcaucasus which share the racial and nationality of a part of eastern Azarbaijan of today's Iran. Taking a look at the historical maps of this region confirms the fact that until the beginning of the 19th century, Georgia, Armenia and Azarbaijan belonged to Iran. While a group of the people of this region created hand-knotted piled rugs there were other groups, originally Shahsavan nomads who used a technique called "Sumakh. Some researchers believe that the name "Sumakh" is taken from a village in Azarbaijan called "Sumakh" and some other think that it comes from the plant "Sumakh" the fruit of which has been used as the symbol of abundance and happiness in the New Year ceremony of Iran known as "Norouz".               Bedding Bag (late 19th century)           Sumakh Miri Renaissance has started to do a vast study and research in 1988 in the field of piled-hand-knotted rugs on the ethnic cultures, designs, and the various methods of weaving in different regions of Iran, including Qashqai and Khamseh in the province of Fars; Bakhtiari in the province of Chahar Mahal; Malayer and Farahan in the western region of Iran; and Kashan in the center of Iran. The completion of the Azarbaijan project which commenced by study and research on the hand-knotted rugs of Tabriz and Heris was added to by a hefty research on the hand-woven craft/art of Shahsavan tribe in the northwestern region of Iran. Although the Southern Caucasian hand-knotted craft/art and those of the Azarbijan province in Iran have an outstanding significance amongst the piled rugs of this region, the importance of a special heed to another technique of weaving named as "Sumakh" cannot be diminished. This technique was the one which was used by other tribes such as Qashqais’, as well as a small part of Khamseh tribe, Afshar and the Kurds but the Shahsavans and Afshars used it more than any other tribes. The use of different types of "Sumakh" technique amongst the migratory tribes included bedding bag, salt bag, saddlebag (a double-pocketed piece to be put on the back of the animal, each pocket hanging on either side, carrying necessary stuff for the rider), and horse covers. Some of the pieces were woven to be used as ornamental stuff for the inside of the tent, or for the horses in the villages but the major use of this technique amongst the peasants was for the room-size floor covering purposes.               Shahsavan Sumak (Miri Creation) 1.96 x 1.40 cm           Jajim Another phenomenon to be mentioned in here is "Jajim" which in fact is a fabric made out of silk or wool and woven by the Iranian tribes especially Shahsavan. Due to the lack of a good quality raw material and the lack of the use of natural colors, it is about a century that they have gradually faded away and the ones that are left do not have a good quality. Jajim, in these modern days can replace fabric and play a significant role in the creation of a valuable artistic atmosphere. In fact, the tribal and rural women as the artists and the "beautifiers" of their tribes and villages use "Jajim" and "Sumakh" to cerate things to not only fulfill their daily needs but also to add beauty and taste to their environment.                     When, due to the occurrence of different historic events like disintegration and decline of regimes borders changed, therefore the life style of the the Shahsavan tribes changed too, so they had to sell these items to alter their way of life to be able to see to their daily needs. Therefore the western world could be exposed to and get familiar with this phenomenon at the time when some of the tribes settled in the rural areas, a situation which created opportunities for collectors, and for those others who merely used them for various purposes in their modern homes to bring a great touch of beauty and style.                     Sumak and Jajim in modern life style Miri's attention to this sect of art/craft was a reviving breath to prevent them from becoming obsolete and falling into the abyss of oblivion. This heed caused these hand woven handicrafts to be designed and woven in a way that can fit the needs of the modern life and the requirements of those who love to have a an artistic composition of fragments, or a collage of great things which have cultural touch, value and messages from the past. This beautifully innovated ensemble of "Sumakh" and "Jajim" made out of a high quality silk and wool, natural colors with the designs inspired from the past is now in view. In addition to that, there are some absolutely new designs created by Razi Miri which are now added to collection of Miri Creation and accessible to those who are interested in the original Iranian hand woven art/crafts and would love to treasure them for ever.               Shahsavan Sumak (Miri Creation) 3.82 x 2.38 cm             Saddle Bag (1st half 19th century)