What is an Afghan Rug?

Much like the Persian rug, Afghan rugs adopt their namesake from Afghanistan. The Afghan rug maintains the same antique and heirloom quality of any Indian, Oriental, or Persian piece on the market. Their designs range far and wide, offering any purchaser the absolute highest value for every cent spent. 

History behind the Afghan Rugs

Afghan rugs or Afghan carpets are hand-woven rugs traditionally made in Afghanistan, many of which however are also woven by Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. In 2008, 2013 and 2014, Afghan rugs won the international awards, which is held in Hamburg, Germany annually. Afghan rugs are mostly assembled in northern and western Afghanistan by various ethnic groups but mainly by Turkmen.[1] One of the most exotic and distinctive of all oriental rugs is the Shindand or Adraskan (named after local Afghan towns), woven in the Herat Province of western Afghanistan. Having strangely elongated human and animal designs are their signature look. Carpets can be sold across Afghanistan with most of them based in Mazar-e Sharif.

Materials and Texture

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. The quality of these carpets can range from coarse to medium in weave. They include felted wool carpets, flat non-pile fabric woven carpets and pile and knotted carpets made of wool, cotton and silk, most of which take six to nine months to make. This makes Afghan carpets unique in almost every aspect of design.

Weaving Techniques

These solid and durable rugs reflect the heritage of cottage-based craftsmanship passed through the generations. Carpets can range from being hand-made to being made by machine. They are usually woven on small looms and are mainly produced to adorn the tents they live in. They’re made up of Persian knots and feature vegetable-dyed hand spun Afghan wool. Pre-dyed wool yarn is often substituted for or combined with the natural dyes as well. Most Afghan weavers make rugs that are about the same as those they have woven for decades. They are therefore considered a very important aspect of their culture.

 
Designs and Patterns

 
Afghan rugs are among the finest rugs made in the world today. Each is exclusively designed and is a unique work of art with its individual color palette. They cannot be ordered to size, ensuring a one of a kind rug. They are considered exotic by many due to the range of designs they boast and their diverse use of fabrics. A unique Afghan rug appeared in the early 1980s that was different from its classic Persian style. It came out of the violent occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union. Ever since then, these Afghan war rugs as they’re often known usually contains iconic imagery of war through their design of helicopters, assortment of weaponry and tanks in the background of a more traditional rug style. They offer a fascinating and realistic glimpse into the lives of an artistic culture besieged by war.

 
Available Sizes

 
The Afghans are a nomadic tribal population who constantly travel from one place to another and their rugs are mainly produced for use in homes and tents. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that Afghan weavings are available in limited quantities and generally in small rug sizes.

 
If you are looking for that traditional touch to your modern home, check out the colors and designs of Afghan Rugs. They suit almost all decor and blend in with their vibrant yet neutral sophistication. Give your guests and yourself a something to think back on by finding yourself the perfect addition in your living room.