Baluch Rugs

The Baluch tribes wander over huge area of eastern Iran, and form a large part of the population of Pakistan and Afghanistan. But although Baluchestan itself is partly in Pakistan and partly in the South Eastern Iranian province of Sistan, Baluchi rugs are not produced in Baluchestan, but in the northeast province of Khorassan. Here there are about a dozen carpet-weaving tribes. The rugs are sold in Mashad, Turbat-e-Haidari, Naishapur Birjand and Zabul. Like all nomadic rugs, Baluchi rugs are small in format. Nearly all are prayer-rug sized. Indeed, the prayer-rug design is very common: the arch always has a geometric shape, as if two rectangles were cut off at the corners at one end. Designs are also influenced by the Kurdish and Turkmen tribes, whose territories adjoin the area. Occasionally designs of birds or people are introduced. The commonest colours are deep reds, dark blue and white. The rugs are generally 100% wool. The weave is usually very fine, and there is often an embroidered of brocaded Kilim at one end. Other weaving centres which come within the general category of Baluch are Ghasemabad, Kalat, Madan and Torbat