2,500.00 €
An exceptionally rare Baluch rug featuring a unique and highly unusual iconography. Its design incorporates tigers, lions, dromedaries, caravaners, and the inscription “Made in Afghanistan” woven both in English and in Dari/Persian.
The borders and central medallion remain faithful to traditional Baluch aesthetics, displaying the geometric and floral motifs typically associated with this weaving tradition. Beyond these elements, however, the rug departs dramatically from convention. The weaver has combined a classic Baluch framework with a remarkable narrative composition that includes two pairs of lions and tigers, an additional pair of tigers, and two groups of dromedaries, each accompanied by caravaners dressed in colours that echo the rug’s palette.
A particularly charming detail reveals the weaver’s playful engagement with the composition. In several instances, the ears of the tigers and the muzzle of a dromedary extend beyond the boundaries of the main field and intrude into the surrounding border.
The most striking features are undoubtedly the lions and tigers themselves. Unlike the stylized floral motifs surrounding them, these animals are rendered with an unusual degree of realism. Their expressive faces immediately capture attention: the lion, with its jaws wide open, appears poised for action, while the tiger’s feline gaze and spotted coat are depicted with extraordinary character and detail. In comparison, the caravaners are portrayed in a more simplified manner, making the animals the undisputed focal point of the composition.
In addition to the “Made in Afghanistan” inscription, several shorter woven words appear throughout the field, further enhancing the rug’s enigmatic and collectible nature.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind piece—a conversation starter that will fascinate guests and collectors alike. Rich in symbolism, artistry, and cultural intrigue, it is a remarkable example of the creativity and individuality that can occasionally emerge within the Baluch weaving tradition.
The exceptional degree of detail achieved throughout the composition—most notably in the naturalistic rendering of the lions and tigers, as well as in the woven inscriptions—was made possible by a relatively high knot density for a Baluch weaving. This technical refinement enabled the weaver to execute complex figural forms and subtle facial expressions with a precision seldom encountered in the Baluch tradition, further enhancing the rug’s artistic and ethnographic significance.
Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool and goat´s wool in the sidecords
Size: 201×91 cms
Origin: Baluch tribe from Afghanistan
Date of weaving: 1940-50s
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 communities in neighbouring regions, including in India, Turkmenistan and the Arabian Peninsula.
Additional information
| Weight | 3.7 kg |
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