Almar Hazara Kilim Mid 20th c

Almar? Hazara Kilim

6 foot 11 inches by 12 foot 8 inches.

This is one of the most beautiful large Hazara flatweave that I have seen. This piece bears a strong resemblance to what they call Almar in the trade but after comparison to others I have decided that these are most likely woven by Hazara.

The quality is remarkable!

It bears a marked resemblance to the small Hazara pieces of Sar-i-Pal. Although this bears a superficial resemblance to an Uzbek Maimana Kilim this piece is markedly different. The field is dovetail (or single interlock) tapestry. In Maimana pieces I would expect either slit-weave tapestry or double interlock tapestry not the single interlock that we see here.

Please see The Hazara A Historical Examination Of The Probable Origins Of An Improbable People

Hazara Kilim, Hazarajat in what is called Afghanistan. Mid 20th century, 6 foot 11 inches by 12 foot 8 inches. (not including fringe).

Structure: Single interlock tapestry weave.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply brown wool.

Weft: Wool ground color.

Ends: Warp fringe.

Selvages: Plain with 4 thicker outer warps.

Further Notes: Very good condition. No dye bleeding

Dovetail Tapestry

Marla Mallett calls this dovetail tapestry see Woven Structures il. 6.29. I also refer to this in some of my notes as single interlock tapestry. I do not remeber if picked up this term from somone. Note in the picture below how on the lateral color changes the wefts share one wrp. This is easiest to see between the white and black.

The Hazara people are descended from the camp women of Genghis Khan's great camp the "yeke a'uruy". They have lived in the Hazarajat in what is currently called Afghanistan since 1221 AD. The really should have their own country but through Pakistan sponsored aggression called Taliban they have again been enslaved.

For a discussion of related pieces please see Hull, Alastair and Luczyc-Wyhowska Kilim The Complete Guide. Pay special attention to plate 509. The example is attributed to the Hazara in Sar-i-Pal. The piece is less than 5 feet long and is rather large compared to the others I have seen., It was from this type of goods that I decided that larger pieces most probably exist and from there I started looking. This piece has far more color than the Hazara pieces that I have seen and is much better color than most of the Maimana pieces that I have seen.

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

Hull, Alastair and Luczyc-Wyhowska Kilim The Complete Guide

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.