Weaving in Afghanistan…
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 caused perhaps 3 million Afghans to flee to Pakistan, and with the refugees came a flood of rugs. After the Russians left there was a long
period of warlord vs. warlord chaos, followed finally by the coming of the Taliban. There is still unrest in the country in the wake of the ouster of the Taliban by U.S. forces. Afghans
are returning to their villages and cities in substantial numbers now, but many Afghans still prefer the relative safety of the border areas of northwestern Pakistan to their homes in Afghanistan.
Rugs from Afghanistan divide generally into rugs woven by Afghan and rugs woven by Balouch weavers. Good quality Afghan rugs are made in weaving centers in northern Afghanistan like Herat,
Daulatabad and Kunduz; very good quality Balouch scatter rugs come from near Herat.
Afghan Rugs
SIZE: small scatters and runners to 10' x 14' and larger. Utilitarian weavings like door surrounds, saddlebags and animal trappings still appear.
STRUCTURE: usually wool warp and weft with medium-thick nap and firm texture.
COLOR & DESIGN: modern Afghan rugs are descendants of Turkoman types woven generations ago in what is now Turkmenistan. Colors are usually red with ivory, black, and (sometimes)
orange or green accents. Designs often employ rows of guls or small medallions.
Balouch Rugs
SIZE: Rugs from small scatters to 6'6" x 9'6" sizes (rarely larger). Utilitarian weavings like saddlebags, bedding bags, and salt bags are also available.
STRUCTURE: usually wool warp and weft with closely clipped nap and soft, flexible texture.
COLOR & DESIGN: usually somber and dark in appearance, geometric designs with highly abstract floral patterns. Many prayer rugs are woven.
Typical Rugs from Afghanistan....
YOMUD: All-over design with Yomud guls. Wool on wool / 225 knots/sq. in. 7'6" x 11'
BALOUCH: Prayer rug. Wool on wool / 81 knots/sq. in. 3'6" x 6'4"
KHOTAN: Vegetable dyes. Wool on cotton/ 49 knots/sq. in. 5'9" x 8'3"
"WAR RUG": Wool on cotton/ 144 knots/sq. in. 1'11" x 2'7"
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