Afghanistan Rugs

Perhaps the most striking type of Afghan rugs are the Bashir or Shindand (or Adraskan), which are exemplified by abstract, warped depictions of humans and animals. Shindands / Adraskans share their name with two towns from the Herat Province in western Afghanistan where they are made. Despite their humble origins, Afghanistan rugs have won international acclaim.

Many different ethnic groups have been weaving area rugs in Afghanistan but in recent years, the chief producers are Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, and Turkmen. However, Baluch rugs, another seminal Afghanistan creation, come primarily from the Baloch people who inhabit the south west portion of the country.

Afghanistan made Baluch rugs are extremely varied, featuring more tribal rug designs that involve repeated motifs or shapes. They are also known for weaving a large number of Islamic prayer rugs.

Nevertheless, carpet weavers do not limit their craft to floor coverings and floor coverings only. They also fashion other important goods utilized by nomads such as tent bags, ceremonial regalia, and other general fabrics.

Another interesting subset of the area rugs that were woven an originated in the country of Afghanistan are their production of Afghan war rugs. These fascinating woven historical accounts depict the turmoil the arose from the December 24 1979 Soviet Union’s invasion Afghanistan. These specific groups of Afghan area rugs have become some of the more collectible and sought after area rugs that depict historical accounts of this military conflict that some credit as one of the root causes for the 1989 (though 1990) collapse of the iron curtain.

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