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In-Depth Knowledge:
People who weave the rugs are simple and kind. Rugs
are an expression of themselves, and their daily activities.
Balouch rugs are similar to the rugs made by their ancestors,
as rug weaving is a tradition within their culture that they
follow.
Weavers take great pains to knit these rugs. One rug might
take many months to complete. People mainly use them in the
form of bags or carpets. However, the family might also choose
to preserve them, so that they can exchange them for basic
essentials in future. Initially, weavers would weave these
rugs and use them as storage bags. Few of these bags exist
today and most of them come from Afghanistan. The Balouchi
weave the Balouch rugs with a utilitarian purpose in mind.
As a result, the rugs must be sturdy and last for many years.
Some of the ‘rugs’ weaved by the weavers might even
be flat weaves that have no pile. Most of the rugs have distinctive
twining, which sets them apart from other rugs.
Each Balouch rug features an oriental design. The dominant
pattern is the repetition of camel’s foot designs that
are stylized. Also dominant are the pear-shaped medallions.
Geometric borders surround them on all sides. Thus, the rug
has an intricate and geometric look. Influence of the Turkmen
style is visible in the use of the ‘gul’ motif.
Colors used in a Balouch rug are mainly contrast. You might
see dark blues and reds contrasted with pinch of white, orange
and yellow. Powerful blues are very dominant, and they use
ivory as a contrast. The effect is very striking and distinct.
Camel wool is also used to provide background color to many
Balouch rugs. Sometimes, color may appear in the form of little
glass beads that are added to the rug. Blue glass beads are
especially visible in these rugs. Despite the numerous areas
that make Balouch rugs, a majority of rugs come from the Balouch
tribes in Iran and from the Taimani tribes in Afghanistan.
The Iranian
rugs make use of grey wool or white cotton in their foundation.
A common warp material for these is goat hair. The finishing
that the weavers provide to these rugs is very distinctive
and striking.
Yarn for these rugs is dyed naturally. The rugs are thus,
made of soft wool and weavers weave them loosely. Weavers
tend to use only the asymmetrical Persian knots. However,
some exceptions do exist. They use small knots, which they
pack down tightly. Thus, the Balouch rugs are made with a
thin and tight pile. Since these rugs are hand-woven, every
rug is different from the other. Each Balouch rug is a unique
piece of art that holds its own place in history. Oriental
Rug Care knows the value of these rugs.
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