A Kordish Baluch Rug from Khorassan

Kordish Baluch rug, Ali Mirzai design

Khorassan, Northeastern Iran, 198 cm x 107 cm, old, possibly antique (first half of 20th century)

Warp: W, Z2S, ivory
Weft: W, S, grey
Pile: W, Z
Knots: as2 (asymmetric, open to the right)
Density: 12 x 7, ca. 84 kpsi (1300 per sq dm)
Height of pile: 3 mm
Handle: thin, evenly grained
Upper end: 2 cm kilim, W, 3 bands, black, red-brown, olive
Lower end: -
Sides: 0.5 cm wide, W, selvage dark-brown
Colors: 4, black, dark-blue, brown-red, white

The main field consists of octagons, alternating either filled with blossoms or with another octagon and an octagonal star. In between the main octagons, stylized cocks are displayed (note that "Baluch" is etymologically derived from cock, cockscomb, or bundle of hairs). They generally face each other with the exception of the lower row of cocks, where the second is turned.

The main border has a hashie nargessi (narcissus border) design, which is very typical for the Ali Mirzai (S. Azadi, Carpets in the Baluch Tradition, Klinckhardt & Biermann 1986; see, for example, plates 49ff).

Considerable wear. Dark-blue and black areas are alternating, while the black-dyed wool is considerably corroded.


















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