Semi-antique Mushwani Baluch from Afghanistan. 259x102 cms

A 1940s Mushwani Baluch from Afghanistan woven with a plain undyed brown background wool. In this background, a lattice design has been woven with a warm colour palette. It is very interesting to note that, either at the beggining or end, the weaver decided to change the scale of the pattern and make the latticework bigger in size, creating a charming change in the field. This kind of perfect “imperfections” are part of the charm of nomadic and village kilims, where the weaver will work without a drawn design and she will weave improvising as she went along. 

The wool employed is soft and shinny. 

Material: 100% hand-spun sheep wool

Size: 259×102 cms

Origin: Mushwani Baluch tribe, Afganistan

Date of weaving: 1940s

 

Kilims or Gilims are flatwoven textiles with a woollen weft on a woollen, goat hair or cotton warp. There are many different techniques and designs. The weaver normally works within a tradition of techniques, motifs and designs specific to a particular area or ethnic group. The designs relate to her natural surroundings, protection, fertility and the harmony of family relationships. Each weaver adds something from her own creativity and sense of composition. Kilims are often woven as part of a marriage dowry and can be used to create many different objects like storage bags, horse-blankets, baby carriers, blankets and wall and floor coverings.

This kilim was hand-woven on a simple loom by a village or nomadic weaver for her own use. Probably the weaver used wool from her own sheep. The wool was first cleaned, then hand-carded, hand-spun and finally dyed by hand, often using natural dye materials like roots, nuts, berries, fruits, flowers and plants. Kilims from the last quarter of the twentieth century mostly use synthetic dyes. This kilim would have taken many months to complete.

All our kilims selected in the country of origin and are professionally washed and restored before we import them directly from Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan. Natural patina and charming imperfections in design and colour (abrash) are highly valued characteristics of hand-woven kilims.