The Oriental Collection - Catalog - Page 60
REZAS AFGHAN RUGS
Old Afghan
Khal Mohammadi (Old Afghan) rugs are handmade by Turkmens in northern
Afghanistan. Both Turkmenistan to the North and Afghanistan to the South are
mostly inhabited by nomadic tribes. Kabul, the capitol of Afghanistan, and the city
of Herat, are important centres for Afghan rugs.
Khal Mohammadi rugs are characterized by the deep, warm, and fiery red base
colour, the relatively high and sturdy pile, the wool base weave, the use of goat and
horse hair, and knotting using the Seneh knot and the Gul pattern. The base colour
is created using a wide range of warm red nuances, from rust to copper brown, and
the patterns are woven in a very dark blue, almost black, with ochre and ivory white.
Knot density ranges from 150,000 to 250,000 knots per sqm.
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