Old Afghan | 218 x 118 cm | Nr. Z-850

Old Afghan

Delivery time	2 days
Origin	Afghanistan
Dimensions	218 cm x 118 cm (= 2.57 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: wool
knots	200.000
Year of manufacture	1950
Condition	pre-owned and cleaned
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.

This Old Afghan is around 76 years old and a true collector's piece.

Material

The pile of this Old 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 number of impressive properties: 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 Old Afghan is made of new wool.

Condition

You are not the first to take a liking to this Old Afghan. It has had owners before you who valued and used it. It was knotted around 1950. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good but unrestored condition. The pile has grown thinner overall. The fringes could do with a repair. We have not restored this Old Afghan because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If you would like us to, we are of course happy to restore the rug for you. Either way, this Old Afghan will give you pleasure for decades to come.