Baluch rug
eastern Persia
circa 1900
197 x 91cm
The likes of this old oriental rug became popular items in the west and arrived in relatively large numbers around the turn of last century. Baluchis, in particular, appear quite often in the paintings of the orientalist school depicting scenes from the East or north Africa and reflecting the vogue in Europe where many of these works were actually executed.
As with many old Baluchi rugs, the main ingredients in this rug are the dyestuffs madder and indigo, white wool with goat hair for the selvedges. The pattern of diamond lozenges is arranged diagonally in the field with changes in the madder tones giving some visual movement. This narrow field is given greater focus and effect by a wide main border of stylised leaf or flower forms.
