History of Baluch Rugs
A nomadic tribe living in Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Baluch weave
many types of small rugs, animal trappings and tent furnishings. They favor deep tones of blue, dark brown, earthy red and
touches of natural ivory. They are simply but sturdily made, entirely of wool,often with ends and edges reinforced by the
use of goat hair. Most rugs are small, double wefted, asymmetrical and tribal in character. Designs are usually of tree of
life, prayer rugs and all over patterns of various guls and botehs.
Visibility: The
most dominant feature of BALUCH carpets is a pattern formed by the repetition of highly stylized camel's foot- or pear-shaped
medallions surrounded on all sides by geometric borders. The result is a very geometric and intricate design that borrows
largely from Turkmen style, especially in the use of the "gul" motif.
Quality: BALUCH rugs
are of excellent quality. They last for many years.
Size & Shapes: BALUCH rugs are
usually small (2 x 3 to 4 x 6 feet). Larger sizes exist, but are hard to find. Finished rugs are nearly square.
Color: Dark red or blue contrasted
with splashes of white, yellow and orange. Powerful blues predominate, with ivory as a contrasting color.
Texture: Soft
wool, thin, tight pile.
Foundation: The
majority of BALUCH rugs comes from two areas:
- The Taimani Tribe in Afghanistan
- The Baluch Tribes from IRAN
BALUCH rugs from IRAN have white cotton or grey wool foundations. Goat hair is also a common
warp material in many BALUCH rugs. BALUCH rugs are made of soft wool, are loosely woven, and are colored with corrosive black/brown
dyes.
Knots: BALUCH weavers use almost exclusively the asymmetrical Persian knot. Knots
tend to be small and tightly packed down.
