Traditional Afghan Carpet Designs

Most afghan rugs only feature geometric designs because islamic traditions prohibit the portrayal of likenesses of animals and humans.

Traditional afghan carpet designs.

The original colors of a rug are diffused via bleaching and washing techniques and the rug is then re dyed in one solid color hence the term overdyed. The result is that the original pattern and design are visible through one muted color. Many afghan rugs with the traditional turkmen design are made by ethnic turkmens living in this country. The shindand or adraskand rug is one of the most sought after types of afghan carpets.

They are made by afghanistan s baloch people in the south western part of the country. Varies depending on the style of rug used in. Another staple of afghanistan is baluchi rugs most notably baluchi prayer rugs. We take pride in using all organic and eco friendly products while keeping in mind a sustainable community for all our clients.

Khal mohammadi are handmade by the turkomans in the north of afghanistan and in some cases they can also be hand knotted in pakistan by the turkomans who have crossed over the borders into pakistan. Named after the people who make them these wool rugs are quite exotic and very similar to oriental rugs. Serving generations of beautiful hand weaved carpets in afghan chobis central asian tibetan persian kilms with range of modern designs in a diversity of weaves sizes and materials. Shindand rugs come from herat in northwestern afghanistan.

Two of the most popular carpets from afghanistan are khal mohammadi and afghan aqche. Another favorite is derived from the ersari main carpet with the octagonal elephant s foot design. Overdying began in istanbul as a way to brighten old faded woven rugs. Generally all these varieties are now referred to as mauri a designation derived from marv the turkmen center now in the soviet union from which most of the best.

The carpet can be sold across afghanistan with the most based in mazar e sharif. Similar to heriz rugs and sultanabads bakshaish carpets often come in room sizes and may feature a single medallion all over patterns such as the herati or geometricized designs. Afghan rugs can usually be divided into two types turkman carpets and baluchi carpets which resemble the tribal weaving s of central asia in terms of their colour design and weave than those from persia. In afghanistan today among the turkmen who still keep to traditional designs a tekke will weave a yamut or a saruq design if he considers that the economic prospect is better.

The primary colours are dark red in different nuances. The quality of these carpets can range from coarse to medium in weave.