To write effectively and intelligently about carpets from the tribal areas of Afghanistan and the former central Asian States of the USSR would require many years of experience and personal knowledge of these carpet making regions.
Unfortunately, we don't qualify in any of these areas, but I do have a number of reference books written by experts in the field- and the following is a compilation of observations from these volumes.
This clause will only serve to help put the background of the carpet making areas in central Asia in some perspective, and to help identify some of the more recognizable designs and characteristics of carpets from these areas.
When one considers the source of carpets from Afghanistan and the Former States of the USSR one must realize that the tribal peoples of the mountains really dont comprehend or honour modern geopolitical borders. Specific tribes exist on both sides and across the modern borders as if they didnt exist.
The Baluchi tribes for example, extend from Eastern Iran through Western Afghanistan and into Pakistan. Similarly, the Turkoman tribes extend all across the northern borders.
Herat, in the Western part of Afghanistan, has a history of over two thousand five hundred years and was once occupied by Alexander the Great, and subsequently invaded by Mongols led by Genghis Khan and then Tamerlan in the 13th century. Herat was considered part of the Persian Empire, and the Persian influence in carpet making in Herat is still seen.
Akcha:
The largest and most important weaving area in Afghanistan. Lying to the North it is the main Market Place for over 100 villages producing red afghan rugs and carpets in predominantly Turkoman Bokhara and Fil Pah (Elephant's foot) designs.
Belouch:
Meaning Nomad, are a tribal group of herdsmen who occupy a huge, largely inhabitable area that stretches from Eastern Persia through Afghanistan and into Western Pakistan. Afghan Belouch are predominantly made in and around the North West region of Herat.
Ziegler:
The term "Ziegler" refers to the Anglo-Swiss Manchester-based company Ziegler & Co. They were producing exclusive Persian carpets in their own workshops in the Sultanabad region of Western Persia between 1875 and 1920. The Ziegler carpets being produced in Afghanistan have been inspired by these 19th Century pieces. The weavers use the traditional methods to produce natural dyes and handspun wool while reproducing the great palmette and arabesque designs of the originals, creating carpets of great beauty and sophistication.
Ziegler Runner
Caucasus:
A harsh mountainous area which separates Europe from Asia, has been weaving rugs since the 16th Century, reaching its historical peak in the 19th Century. In weaving terms, the Kazak district was the most famous area, producing rugs with bold, geometric designs and using the best wool and dyes. The Afghan reproductions follow the traditional techniques and aspects of the Antique Kazaks.
Soumak:
A flatweave, but it differs from other Kilims in that the ends of the wefts are not turned back into the rug but are left dangling. This original Afghan Soumak is a reproduction of a Ziegler pattern.
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