Striking Lakai embroidered ‘shield bag’ (kap ilgich). These shield shaped hangings were generally made by the Uzbek-speaking Lakai tribe as dowry gifts and were meant to hang inside a yurt or other dwellings where they were used as decorations and / or for storage of various personal items. The very finely worked embroidery is done here in polychrome silks on a red wool ground, the two main central motifs using the chain-stitched method and the edge bands using the cross stitched method. Made circa 1900, the size of the shield itself is 24cm wide x 48cm long (9.5in x 19in) with the tassels adding an extra +/-12cm (5in) For more photos please see https://warpandweft.club/portfolio-item/afghanistan-central-asia-item-39/