The weavings from the Darreh Gaz district are of an entirely different level compared to most of the other Kurdish material from Khorasan. Here the stylised, central elibelinde motif is contained within a yellow hexagon, enclosing a small stag. This central motif is flanked by blossom elements together with stylised cloud bands. Groups of marching and affronting stags frame the composition, as if guarding its inner sanctum. This archaic motif transports me instantly to the Scythian period, reminding me of the row of stags pacing the perimeter of the famous Pazyryk carpet.