Baluch rugs

Who weaves them

The name comes from the Baluch people, but most rugs sold as Baluch were not woven in Baluchistan. They come from tribal and village weavers in Khorasan, in northeast Iran, and in the Herat region of western Afghanistan.

Other groups in the same area, such as the Timuri and Aimaq, weave very similar rugs. In the trade they are usually all sold under the Baluch name.

How to recognize one

The palette is the first clue. Most Baluch rugs are dark: deep red, rust, dark blue, brown and near-black, lit by small touches of ivory or white. In good light the wool has a soft shine.

Designs are geometric. Rows of small medallions, latticework and hooked shapes are common. Prayer rugs often show a tree of life inside an arch, sometimes on a camel-colored field.

Turn the rug over. The knots are asymmetric, the warps are usually wool, and the ends often finish in a band of flatweave. Many have dark goat-hair edges.

Old and new Baluch rugs

Older pieces were woven for tribal use: prayer rugs, saddle bags, pillow covers called balisht, and small floor rugs. Natural dyes and hand-spun wool give them their depth.

Baluch-style rugs are still woven in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. New ones are often brighter and more even, and some use synthetic dyes that look harsh next to older work.

Living with a Baluch rug

The dark colors hide everyday soil, which makes a Baluch rug practical for an entry, a study or beside a bed. Keep it out of strong sun: deep reds and blues fade over the years.

Vacuum it with suction only, and use a thin rug pad. Older pieces can have fragile ends and edges, so have worn spots repaired before they open up.

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