Afghan | 144 x 96 cm | Nr. Z-3437

Geometric Afghan, dark red with border

Origin	Afghanistan
Dimensions	144 cm x 96 cm (= 1.3824 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: wool
knots per m²2	160.000
Pile height	7mm
Year of manufacture	1960
Colour	Dark red, curry
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

Rugs made in Afghanistan – known as Afghan rugs, or simply Afghans – are unmistakable. In Afghanistan's cultural melting pot, Baluch, Turkmen, Kazakh and Uzbek weavers came together, each bringing influences from their homelands. During the 19th century, Turkoman tribes settled villages in Afghanistan, which brought Turkoman weaving styles into the region. The designs of the various tribal groups – among them Esari, Salor, Tekke and Yomut – are wonderfully varied. What holds them together stylistically is the use of intricate elephant's foot motifs (known as guls), lively reds, decorative bands and ornamental end panels.

Tribal weavers used natural dyes to create an enormous range of reds, from deep aubergine brown to warm burnt orange. These glowing colours are traditionally combined with clear blues and ivory accents. While the tribes of Afghanistan frequently use guls and serrated stars, it is in the decorative borders and end panels that weavers have traditionally worked a little of themselves and their culture into the design. The same is true of the decorative rugs from Bukhara, where all-over gul motifs are widespread.

The gul is a versatile motif, used as a medallion or for repeating patterns. It can be set against a monochrome field or linked into a striking tile pattern. The rich colours and bold design of antique Afghan rugs make them spectacular statement pieces that complement a wide variety of interior styles perfectly.

Because of the political situation in Afghanistan, only a few Afghan rugs are still made today.

Pattern

The edge of the rug is graced by a surround (border). The border forms a wonderful contrast to the centre.

The abstract, geometric composition is what gives this Afghan its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the way a room is laid out and never steals attention from the furniture, the decor or the architectural details. It settles beautifully into any setting and subtly rounds out a room's furnishings.

The background of this Afghan is dark red. The border is worked in light red and dark blue.

Condition

This Afghan has had admirers before you. The fringes could do with a repair. It was hand-knotted in around 1960. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. That is why it is – despite its age – in very good condition.

Material

The pile of this Afghan was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by gently shearing sheep. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a whole range of impressive qualities: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is therefore naturally protected against dirt. Wool also offers excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The foundation (weft and warp threads) of this Afghan is made of new wool.