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Afghan War Rugs: "S Carpet" Meshed War Rug

"S Carpet" Meshed War Rug

2 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 6

A number of years ago I wrote an article for Oriental Rug Review called Afghan War Rugs: If it Walks Like a Duck.... In it I broke a lot of new ground trying to attribute the various types of war rugs to where they were made. One type I discussed were the rugs from Meshed, Iran. This is one of those rugs.

The argument for a Iranian attribution is outlined in my article. However the key identifiers are structure, wool and design. Recently I was able to obtain a number of these rugs and they are identical to what was available during the Russian war. Since this particular type is no longer made with these materials this rug must date to before The Islamic Republic of Iran began sending the refugees home after the war.

By the way the assault rifle to the right is an AK-47 and the one to the left is an AK-74

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Color is difficult over the internet, please use the Direct Scan below for the best representation of color in this rug

Afghan War Rug , Khorasan, Iran. 4th quarter 20th century. Intact full pile rug in unused condition. 2 feet 6 inches by 4 feet 6. (not including fringe).

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the right. 6 knots per horizontal inch and 7 knots per vertical inch. 42 per square inch (651 per square decimeter)

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: White cotton.

Weft: Black Cotton, 2 shots.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: 1/2 inch plain weave with warp fringe.

Selvages: wrapped in brown wool.

Further Notes: Excellent condition, in "As New Condition".

Direct Scan

To feed their children many people wove these rugs in Iran. When they went back home they wove related but very different rugs.

The key to understanding rugs is structure, wool and borders. Structural characteristics like the selvages. or the handle of a rug, the way the wool feels and then about the only design element that is important are the borders. What is in the field is of little consequence. As you learn about rugs feel the handle and feel the wool. the more you will understand about rugs.

For information on War Rugs please see:

Afghan War Rug Question - RugNotes

Afghan War Rugs: If it Walks Like a Duck... by J. Barry O'Connell, Jr. (Oriental Rug Review, March, 1997)

For a discussion of Afghan Baluch and Baluch type see:

Parsons, R. D. Oriental Rugs Volume 3 The Carpets of Afghanistan. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors Club, 1983, 3rd ed. 1994.

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.