Mushwani Baluch Rugs

There is a group of rugs, bags and trappings from western Afghanistan that are identified in the market place as Mashwani. The Baburnama of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur places a tribe called Mashwani in the area in the early 16th century. The late George Washington O’Bannon who traveled the area in the 1960s as deputy director of the Peace Corp also placed a tribe called Mashwani in the area and attributed these rugs to them.

Examples:

Mushwani Balisht

Mushwani Balisht

Size: 104 x 56 cm / 3’5″ x 1’10”

Region: Central Asia – Afghanistan

Item Type: Rugs and Carpets – Bags and Trappings – Balisht

Period / Date : 20th century – first half (1900 – 1949)

Other Colors: brownish red

Materials: all wool

Structure / Technique: symmetric knot with kilim ends and tassels

Condition: very good, apart from two moth damages of 1sq. cm. each

This large Baluch bag is not very old, but extremely nice, with good natural colors and complete with its original back, tassels and sewed on decorations. There are in fact white shells on one side and two military uniform buttons on the other one. Two more buttons are missing. It is a charming decorative piece suitable to be used as cushion.


Older Mushwani Bag

Older Mushwani Bag

Mushwani Rug, Northwest Afghanistan. Mid twentieth century.

1 foot 6 inch by 1 foot 3 inch (not including tassels).

Structure: Asymmetrical knot open to the left. 9 knots per horizontal inch and 11 knots per vertical inch. 99 per square inch (1534 per square decimeter) Medium depressed.

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply wool, tan.

Weft: 2 shot blue 2 ply wool, tan.

Pile: 2 Wool singles.

Ends: folded over and stitched.

Selvages: Goat hair braid.

Further Notes: Excellent condition.


Mushwani Baluch Type Main Carpet

Mushwani Baluch Type Main Carpet

Northwest Afghanistan. 20th Century.

4 foot 9 inch by 8 foot 10 inch.

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

Yarn Spin: Z.

Warp: 2 ply wool.

Weft: 2 shot gray wool.

Pile: 2 wool singles.

Ends: Band of two-pick oblique interlacing with 1 inch fringe finish.

Selvages: 2 cord double wrap black & gray goat.

Further Notes:Excellent Condition. The main border is a common one in Northwest Afghanistan; the white border is seen in Persia and Afghanistan.


Antique Mashwani Khordjin

There is a group of rugs, bags and trappings from western Afghanistan that are identified in the market place as Mashwani. The Baburnama of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur places a tribe called Mashwani in the area in the early 16th century. The late George Washington O’Bannon who traveled the area in the 1960s as deputy director of the Peace Corp also placed a tribe called Mashwani in the area and attributed these rugs to them. Tom Cole seems to place the Mashwani as a Baluch sub-group.

This khordjin is the traditional design that we see in Mashwani khordjin and is very rare otherwise. The essential differece is that the pile front is one piece with pile on the bridge.

Antique Baluch Khorjin

Late 19th century Baluch, Mushwani khorjin. Mostly in good condition and complete. A couple of old noticeable tribal repairs. Pile is overall good condition, silky and full. Great saturated colors, dark but wonderful. Full kilim, flat woven, back is intact, again with a couple of old tribal repairs.