Afghan Rugs: The James D. Manning Afghan Kazak Rug

The James D. Manning Afghan Kazak

This is a Kazak rug woven by a Afghan weaver. It was sold to me as vegetal dyed and there is no reason to think other wise. I like to be cautious about absolute dye attributions without chemical dye analyses, so let me say it looks vegetal. The green has lots of life and yellow highlights and the main red is beautiful. The wool quality is very high. The light plays on the wool as one expects in an older natural dyed rug. However there is no doubt that this is Afghan.

Structure: Symmetrical knot. 8 knots per horizontal inch and 8 knots per vertical inch. 64 per square inch (992 per square decimeter).

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply wool, gray.

Weft: 2 ply wool 2 shots. dark brown.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: 3/4 inch warp faced plain weave, warp fringe.

Selvages: 3 cord selvage wrapped in red wool.

Further Notes: Supple handle, very substantial new rug. No holes, tears, rips or low spots. full pile.

Provenance: Propperty of James D. Manning

This rug has gray warps which are typical of recent Afghan production and almost never seen in old Afghan pieces. After a comparison of wool samples versus the breeds common to Afghanistan I think the wool is most likely from Karakul sheep. Karakul wool makes me suspect an Uzbek origin for this rug.

The red wool 3 cord selvage is often seen in Baluch and Turkmen type rugs. These rugs are usually more square in format and tend to be well made. I understand they are made on steel looms.