Semi-antique Baluch kilim from Afghanistan. 228x75 cms

A semi-antique Baluch dasterkhan or dinning kilim finely woven. It is unusual to find the green colour in a dasterkhan. In mint condition. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool   

Size: 228×75 cms

Origin: Baluch tribe, Afghanistan

Date of weaving: 1960

 

The dinning sofreh, also called Dasterkhan or Dastarkhan, is somewhat similar to the dinning table used in the West. Just as a dinning table can be of various sizes, so a dining dasterkhan can come in different sizes. The dimensions of the dsterkhan depends on the number of members in a family and the prosperity of the owner. However, no matter wether the sofreh is large or small, it is always rectangular, long an narrow.

The dinning dasterkhan of the tribes and country people are of wool and woven like kilims. Thus, their outward appearance has caused them to be called kilims in the West. The sofreh and dasterkhan are only spread at the time of a meal and is folded and put aside after eating. It is not used to sit on for it is, after all, a place where the daily bread and the Gods other blessings are set, and therefore improper to be used for other purposes