The Cole Afshar Baluch Rug 19th C.

The Cole Afshar Baluch Rug 19th C.

Baluch Rug, NE Persia, 19th century, 3′ 4″ x 5′ 10″

An extremely unusual composition with element from different weaving groups harmoniously incorporated into this Baluch group rug from Khorassan province of NE Persia. The field pattern is closely related to Afshar element (see the article, Outback Afshars, on this site) with a single flower head situated in the center flanked by minor floral forms on camel wool ground. The primary border, on the other hand, is very much related to those weavings from East Turkestan, rugs that exhibit qualities associated to Moghul period weaving from India (see detail image). This is the ONLY Baluch rug I know of with this border system.

The colours are unusual as well with a smattering of green in the border as well as a clear lemon yellow in addtiion to the classic Khorassan orange/red as well as a very vibrant indigo blue. The condition is ok, there is some corrosion (see detail photos) and the selvedges are slightly ragged in places, but never mind, this is an extremely collectible example of Baluch weaving from NE Persia.