Buchara | 365 x 275 cm | Nr. Z-4181

Geometric Bukhara, light blue with border

Origin	Pakistan
Dimensions	365 cm x 275 cm (= 10.0375 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	480.000
Pile height	5mm
Year of manufacture	1990
Colour	Light blue, dusky pink
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

This wonderful rug with its classic Buchara pattern was knotted in Pakistan. Buchara (sometimes also spelled Bochara) is an oasis city in Uzbekistan that lies on the former Silk Road. Although no rugs were ever knotted in Buchara itself, the city gave its name to many Oriental rugs, because they were traditionally exported to the West from Buchara. The rugs themselves, though, were traditionally knotted by various Turkmen tribes, above all in the Caucasus, Persia and Afghanistan.

Because Buchara rugs are among the finest and best-loved Central Asian rugs, their patterns have inspired weavers in Pakistan as well. That is how this rug with the typical Uzbek Buchara pattern came to be knotted in Pakistan.

Pattern

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

The abstract, geometric composition is what gives this Buchara its understated elegance. The pattern flatters the design of the room without drawing attention away from the furniture, the décor or the architectural details. It fits beautifully into any setting and complements a room's furnishings in a subtle way.

The repeating elements of this Buchara rug have no particular centre. The recurring rapport pattern feels calming, yet never dull. Rugs with a rapport pattern are also described as all-over patterned.

The overall impression is dominated by light blue and dusky pink. The border is worked in dusky pink and light brown.

Condition

This Bukhara has a story to tell. It was hand-knotted around 1990. It has been thoroughly cleaned and is in good but unrestored condition. The fringes could do with a repair. The edges are damaged in places. The pile is worn in places. The rug has a few stains. In some spots you can see a few white threads. That is perfectly normal in older rugs. They are the knot ends of the weft and warp weave, which work their way to the surface over the years. Structurally this is no great problem. We have not restored this Bukhara because we feel it has a special charm just as it is. If you would like us to, we will of course be happy to restore the rug for you. Either way, this Bukhara will bring you pleasure for decades to come.

Material

The pile of this Buchara 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 content of the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is therefore naturally protected against dirt. Wool also provides excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and absorbs sound. The weft and warp threads of this Buchara are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it particularly suitable for a hard-wearing foundation.