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The name Afghanistan immediately
brings to mind the rugged mountains and harsh climate of this
country that has been plagued with wars, political instability
and drought.
The conditions there have made the selection of rugs now much
more limited than even five years ago, as there are only about
25% of the weavers left who are able to weave in their homes
today.
Because it’s too dangerous to travel around Afghanistan
now, I’m sourcing my rugs in the old city of Peshawar,
on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. I buy from Mr Abid, an
elderly Afghani who has spent his life, as his father did,
travelling the remotest parts of Northern Afghanistan, Turkestan
and Uzbekistan. Twice a year I visit him to select from his
fabulous collection of old and interesting rugs that he has
gathered during his travels and kept for his favourite rug
traders from overseas.
Afghani rugs are becoming more sought-after; they go particularly
well in our New Zealand homes, where they look fabulous on
hard floors, especially polished wood, floors and under big,
formal dining tables. Afghani rugs are easily recognised
by their predominant colours of burgundy, blue and black
– light colours are used only rarely. Designs are
usually geometric, often featuring repeating “Boitara
Gul” octagonal shapes. Some of the noted carpets from
this area are named after their tribal origin, such as Tekke,
Beshir, Ersari and Yomut |
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| Afghanistan | Iran | Turkey | Caucasus | Modern |
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