Antique Baluch sofreh kilim from Afghanistan. 182x182 cms

Elegant and Understated Antique Baluch Sofreh – Afghanistan

This elegant and understated Baluch sofreh from Afghanistan is a beautiful example of traditional craftsmanship. Woven using natural dyes, it was originally made to serve as a sofreh — a flat-woven kilim used for preparing or serving food.

Due to the limited width of the weaver’s loom, two narrow panels were woven separately and then joined at the center. The slight misalignment where the two pieces meet adds a unique charm and a human touch to the piece — a reminder of the artisanal process behind it.

The minimalist field is brought to life by subtle abrash (natural variations in color), which create depth and visual interest. In contrast, the borders feature a more intricate pattern, woven in rich tones of deep indigo that frame the composition beautifully.

There are a few small repairs, please refer to the pictures.

All dyes used are natural

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool   

Size: 182×182 cms

Origin: Baluch tribe from Afghanistan

Date of weaving: 1900-20s

Baluch

The Beluch or Baluch are an Iranian people who live mainly in the Balochistan region, located at the southeasternmost edge of the Iranian plateau, encompassing the countries of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. There are also Baloch diaspora commuBalnities in neighbouring regions, including in India, Turkmenistan and the Arabian Peninsula.

Sofreh

Sofrehs take their name from the Farsi (Persian) word for cloth and are used for several functions connected with preparing and eating food. Eating cloths are normally referred to simply as sofrehs and vary enormously in size-from small, rectangular mats for personal use to extremelly long, narrow runners for communal eating. They are woven in several standard techniques, including alternating bands of kilim and pile rug, and produced by a number of nomadic and tribal weavers in Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and to a lesser degree, elsewhere.