Baluch Rugs

In this section:

Baluch Rugs are really a type of rug rather than the output of one single ethno-linguistic group. Over a series of pages I will deal with Baluch and the various sub-types. baluch is a language so people whose primary language is Baluch are Baluchi. But the Baluch are also a political entity under Iranian law so the Government also defines who are the Baluch. Then there are the people who are always or even sometimes counted as Baluch. This group includes but not limited to: Barbari, Berberi, Chahar-Aimaq, Char Aimaq, Taimuri (Teimuri, Timuri, Taimouri), Teimurtash, Taimani, Zohri (Zuri), Jamshidi (Jamshedi, Djamchidi, Yemchidi, Dzhemshid), Firozkohi, Maliki, Mizmast, Chinghizi, Zainal, Baluchi, Baluci, Baloci, Makrani, Coastal Balochi, Kechi, Makrani (Lotuni), Rakhshani (Raxshani), Sarawani, Brahuidi, Birahui, Brahuigi, Kur Galli, Jharawan, Kalat, Sarawan.

When I first started looking at Oriental Rugs I started with Baluch rugs or more properly Baluch type. I assumed that Baluch rugs were woven Baluch weavers and that all this must be well documented so that we could look at the structure and pattern of a rug and look them up in a book and know exactly where they were woven and by what groups. But when I went to the books I found it was anything but the case.

In the rug trade when one says Baluch one may be referring to anyone of a number of types of rugs. This group includes:

Southern Baluch

  • Southern Baluch weave mostly Flatweaves. The Southern Baluch weave Kilims that I suspect would test to show a great deal of undyed wool. Consequently the Kilims are fairly somber. They are also noted for their embroidery.
  • Dialect: Makrani (Lotuni)

Western Baluch

  • About half of the Western Baluch have settled but many are still migratory herders. Major producers of rugs, bags, trappings, etc..
  • There are about 600,000 Western Baluch about two thirds of them are in Iran with most of the rest in Afghanistan and a few in Turkestan. Under the Shah in Iran they were recognized as both a tribe and a political party.
  • Dialects: RAKHSHANI (RAXSHANI), SARAWANI.

Examples:

Late 19th C. Baluch Rug

Late 19th C. Baluch Rug

Size: 5ft. 10in. by 3ft. 6in.

Warp: Cream wool

Weft: Brown wool

Knots: Symmetric wool, some pale blue cotton.

Condition: Good

Sides: Original 2 cord hair, selvage repaired.

Ends: Kelims

Pile: Fairly good

Late 19th C. Baluch Rug


Baluch Rosette Lattice Rug

Baluch Rosette Lattice Rug

Description: Persian Baluch Rug

Size: 3 foot 6 inch by 6 foot 6 inch.

Notes: This is a very pretty traditional pattern Persian Baluch Rug. It is a new handmade pile rug from Iran. It is handmade and in new condition.

Baluch Rosette Lattice Rug

Size: 2 foot 8 inch by 7 foot.

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. 8 knots per horizontal inch and 9 knots per vertical inch. 72 per square inch (1116 per square decimeter).

Color: Raspberry, onyx, ivory.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 3 ply corded white cotton.

Weft: 2 shots gray cotton.

Pile: 2 wool singles.

Ends: Post-hitch wharf binding, with 1 inch warp fringe.

Selvages: 4 cord reinforced black goat.

Handle: Soft wool, medium, durable.

Further Notes: Very good condition, some wear of selvage and on bottom corners.


Antique Kurd or Bahluli Baluch Rug

Antique Kurd or Bahluli Baluch Rug

Date: Late 19th or early 20th century.

Size: 2 foot 11 inches by 5 foot 2 inch. (not including fringe).

Structure: Symmetrical knot. 8 knots per horizontal inch and 9 knots per vertical inch. 72 per square inch (1116 per square decimeter). Slightly depressed warps.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply Wool, ivory.

Weft: 2 shots 2 ply tan wool

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: Warp fringe

Selvages: Two cord brown wool

Further Notes: This rug is in very good condition. There have been some restoration and the rug is in very good condition. The brown areas show sign of corrosion in keeping with it’s age.

This is an excellent Antique Baluch Rug. The color is excellent and the camel color may actually be camel wool instead of sheep’s wool. The delicate beauty and sophistication of this piece make me think it is from the Qainat.

Antique Kurd or Bahluli Baluch Rug


Large Baluch Sumac

Large Baluch Sumac

Origin: Northwest Afghanistan, late 20th century.

Size: 3 foot 7 inch by 6 foot 3 inch.

Structure: Sumac weave

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply tan wool.

Weft: 2 ply tan wool.

Ends: Overhand knots with 3 inch warp fringe.

Selvages: 2 cord interlaced brown wool.

Handle: Light, durable, pliable.

Further Notes: Excellent condition.

This is a large heavy duty durable floorcovering. It is a particularly nice Baluch Sumac Kilim. I suspect that these may be Hazara but in the marketplace these are called Baluch.

Large Baluch Sumac


Baluch Rug, c.1900

Baluch Rug, c.1900

Region: Persia

Size: ca. 204 x 111 cm.


Baluch Rug, c.1900

Baluch Rug, c.1900

Size: 5ft. 9in. by 3ft. 2in.

Warp: white wool

Weft: gray-brown wool

Knots: asymmetric, open to the left, all wool

Condition: very good

Sides: original 4 cord hair selvage

Ends: some kelims

Pile: very good

C. 1900 Baluch Rug


Baluch Rug, Late 19th C.

Baluch Rug, Late 19th C.

Size: 4ft. 4in. by 2ft. 8in.

Warp: white and brown wool

Weft: gray-brown wool

Knots: symmetric, all wool, pulled left.

Condition: quite good

Sides: original 4 cord hair selvage

Ends: Kelims and knotted fringes

Pile: Fairly good

Exclusively Baluch Plate 4


Exclusively Baluch Plate 5

Exclusively Baluch Plate 5

Date: Late 19th C.

Size: 5ft. 6in. by 2ft. 9in.

Warp: cream wool

Weft: light brown wool

Knots: Asymmetric, open to the left, all wool

Condition: good

Sides: original hair sidecord selvage (repaired)

Ends: Kelims and knotted fringes

Pile: good

Exclusively Baluch Plate 5


Exclusively Baluch Plate 6

Exclusively Baluch Plate 6

Date: Late 19th century

Size: 5ft. by 2ft. 8in.

Warp: white wool

Weft: dark gray wool

Knots: symmetric, all wool, pulled left.

Condition: quite good

Sides: original 2 cord hair selvage

Ends: end panels and some kelims

Pile: fairly good

Exclusively Baluch Plate 6


Exclusively Baluch Plate 7

Exclusively Baluch Plate 7

Date: Late 19th C.

Size: 3ft. 11in. by 2ft. 3in.

Warp: white/brown wool

Weft: brown wool

Knots: asymmetric, open to the left, all wool

Condition: quite good

Sides: original 2 cord selvage

Ends: short kelims

Pile: fairly good

Note: 7 animals in the field

Exclusively Baluch Plate 7


19th century Persian Baluch

19th century Persian Baluch

Description: This is an attractive, late 19th century Persian Baluch.

19th century Persian Baluch

19th century Persian Baluch

19th century Persian Baluch


Taimani Baluch Rug

Taimani Baluch Rug

Size: 2 foot 8 inch by 4 foot 2 inch.

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. 9 knots per horizontal inch and 8 knots per vertical inch. 72 per square inch (1116 per square decimeter)

Color: Tan, red, midnight blue, ivory, royal blue, tangerine.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply brown wool.

Weft: 2 shot brown wool.

Pile: 2 wool singles.

Ends: Heavy crossed wefts 1 inch warp fringe.

Selvages: Single cord overcastting blue wool.

Handle: Soft, pliable, light.

Further Notes: Excellent condition.

This a very pretty tribal rugs from one of the villages in Northwest Afghanistan. I do not see a lot of this type but I have come across them before. The most intriguing part of this rug is the interplay of the negative space images.

This is a handmade Taimani Baluch Rug. The dyes are good. It dates to the late 20th century.

Taimani Baluch Rug


Baluch Rug with Asmalyk Design

Baluch Rug with Asmalyk design

Baluch Rug with Asmalyk design


Baluch Rug, North East Persia, late 19th C.

Baluch Rug, North East Persia, late 19th C.

Size: ca. 206/ 201 x 138 cm.


Baluch Rug, North East Persia

Baluch Rug, North East Persia

Date: around 1900

Size: ca. 200 x 121 cm.


Baluch Rug, Persia, second half 19th C.

Baluch Rug, Persia, second half 19th C.

Origin: Northeast Persia

Size: 4ft. 7in. x 2ft. 9in.

Condition: Crease repair, some wear to one end, some selvage damage.


Baluch Rug

Baluch Rug

Origin: Kashmar area, late 19th century

Size: 2ft. 11in. x 5ft.


Baluchi Rug, North East Persia, c.1910

Baluchi Rug, North East Persia, c.1910

Size: ca. 134 x 76 cm.


Baluchi Rug, North East Persia

Baluchi Rug, North East Persia

Date: around 1910

Size: ca. 184 x 100 cm.


Belouch Rug with Tree of Life Border

Belouch Rug w/ Tree of Life Border

Origin: East Persia, circa 1900

Measurements: approximately 4ft. 7in. by 2ft. 8in. (1.40 by 0.81m.)

Condition Note: Original polychrome banded kilim end finishes.


Baluch Type Afghan War Rug

Baluch Type Afghan War Rug

Origin: Northwest Afghanistan. 4th quarter 20th century. 3 feet 8 inches by 6 feet 8 inches (not including fringe).

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. 9 knots per horizontal inch and 11 knots per vertical inch. 99 per square inch (1395 per square decimeter)

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply Wool, Tan.

Weft: Gray Cotton, 2 shots.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: 1/2 inch plain weave.

Selvages: two 2 part cord double looped with black goat.

Further Notes: Excellent condition, in “As New Condition”. Slight dye transference in the fringe. Intact, full pile rug.

Excellent Afghan war rug from the Chahar Aymaq people of the Herat area in what is now called Afghanistan. Very vivid war imagery, tanks, machine guns, assault rifles, and a surprising number of landmines. Afghanistan is strewn with landmines and many are quick to condemn the use of landmines. Landmines are used because they are a rebel’s weapon or one that can be used by an under funded army.

Baluch Type Afghan War Rug

Here we have a wide variety of weaponry. A tank flanked by two had grenades with a grenade launching machine gun on top. Under that a helicopter surrounded by assault rifles. The assault riffles are in the style only seen in the Herat area.