Title:

Baluch-Kurd Rug
Khorasan Region
Northeast Persia
Size:

3’ 5” x 5’ 4”
Circa:
 1875
Cat. #:
330
Description:

Certain rugs are important historical artifacts bearing witness to the complex tribal history of the region. This is one of those rugs.

The rug was woven in Khorasan region by Kurds who had at some uncertain point in history assimilated with “Baluch’ of the area.                      

Evidence of that ‘Baluch’-Kurd assimilation include but are not necessarily limited to the following characteristics.

The rug uses the symmetrical knot of the Kurdish weaver.  Ethnic ‘Baluch’ rugs of Khorasan are woven with the asymmetrical knot inclined to the left.

In the ‘Baluch’ tradition, the warps are ivory and consist of two-ply wool.  In the Kurd tradition, the first weft is drawn taut thus creating warp displacement.

The Khorasan Baluch identity of the rug is manifestly established by the construction and material of the sides.

The field motifs are many, varied and frequently seen in ‘Baluch-Kurd weavings.  The tonality and execution is Kurdish.

The so-called ‘crab’ border, here a variant of the design, is seen on Baluch-Kurd rugs.

The dyes are all natural.  There is a rich green, a clear, strong blue and the extensive use of apricot. The latter is associated with tribal weavings of considerable age.

Condition:   The ends are reduced but stabilized to prevent loss of pile.  The sides have some wear but the original warp cords survive as does much of the original goat hair wrap.  The border pile is full, lustrous and virtually without wear.  The field pile has low areas but there is no damage to the foundation of the rug.

Comment:       Using its construction and relatively good condition as criteria, the rug is a good candidate for restoration. 

Structure:
Warps:
 Wool, natural ivory.  There is warp displacement (depression) of approximately forty-five degrees.
 
Wefts:

Wool, natural shades of brown.  There are two wefts between each row of knots.
 
Knots:
Symmetrical
 
Sides:

Foundation warps are bundled into four cords.  The four cords are then separated into two cords and wrapped with goat hair.  There are areas of wear and loss but much of the original remains.
 
Ends:

Reduced slightly.  None of the original end construction has survived.
 
Handle:

Moderately supple.
Price:
$4,800
Literature:

Azadi, Siawosch, Carpets in the Baluch Tradition, plate 56, page 198.
(A rug with a similar border is attributed to the ‘Baluch’-Kurd of Sabzavar, Khorasan Region)

Sorgato, David, Baluch, plate 11, page 36.
(A rug with a similar border design and ivory ground color)

Stanzer, Wilfred, Kordi.
(The book has many interesting comments about the tribal relationship between the ‘Baluch’ and Kurds of northeast Persia)

Black, David, Rugs of the Wandering Baluchi, plate # 31.
(A ‘Baluch’-Kurd rug with eight-pointed stars and woven with symmetrical knot)