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8 foot 4 inch by 14 foot 7
inch.
I do not know how this piece
was used. It seems to large to be used as a
floorcovering in a hut so perhaps it was made for
a Qala or a Mosque. This is similar to the type
of rug that the Hazara
used as floor coverings in their own homes except
that it is large. I am still trying to assess the
uses of all the flatweaves that I attribute to
the Hazara.
Hazara flatweaves are rare.
High in the Central Highlands of Afghanistan in
the steep sided valleys of the Hindu Kush
Mountains live the Hazara. Scratching out an
existence there since the 13th century the Hazara
use covers like this as covers, rugs, and simply
to survive.
There is a civil was raging in
Afghanistan and war has a way of bringing unusual
pieces to market. This rug came out of
Mazar-i-Shariff as merchants were trying to save
what they could ahead of the Taliban terrorist
army. This piece is probably about 30 to 50 years
old.
Please see The
Hazara A Historical Examination Of The Probable
Origins Of An Improbable People
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In this
week as the auction runs more of the Hazara will die in
their fight to be free and to worship God as they wish.
They continue to fight and die in a forgotten corner of
the world and what little of their native art that exists
is quickly disappearing. Mostly because no one knows or
cares. Maybe I am wrong but I feel there is value to the
indigenous art form of a people who wish to be free. A
long time ago someone asked me why I was aiding the cause
of another obscure group in another forgotten corner of
the world. All I could say was that "Peace is not
enough, because peace without freedom is slavery".
Enough of my preaching, just let me say
these rugs are the most important and least appreciated
things that I ever offer.
For Further Reading:
Mousavi,
S. A. The Hazara of Afghanistan
Hull,
Alastair and Luczyc-Wyhowska Kilim The Complete Guide.
Parsons,
R. D. Oriental Rugs Volume 3 The Carpets of Afghanistan.
Woodbridge: Antique Collectors Club, 1983, 3rd ed. 1994.
RugNotes
Guide to Rugs & Books
Thanks and best wishes,
J. Barry O'Connell Jr.
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