Baluch Pictorial Rug

Second half 19th century, 180 x 102 cm, North East Persia, Khorasan

This Baluch pictorial rug woven in an elongated format is from Zabol in the Sistan region. Twelve statuesque female figures with long arms, white hands with their nails coloured red, and square white heads are arranged next to and above one another in rows of three. Depicted face-on, they look at the viewer with large eyes. Changing from one row to the next, they have one arm hanging down while the other is bent across their chest. Small trees, animals, stars and diamonds fill the spaces left undecorated by the main design in the coffee-coloured field. The motifs with protruding rays seen in the border, here enclosed within rectangular compartments, are also encountered in Tekke rugs. More differentiated in palette and far more colourful than the comparative pieces cited below, this Zabol pictorial rug is a particularly attractive example of its group. – Cut and reselvedged sides, both ends minimally reduced. Good overall condition.

HALI 80, 1995, S. 96, Abb.18 *** SORGATO, DAVID, Baluch from the David Sorgato collection. Mailand 2007, Nr.6 *** MacDONALD, BRIAN W., Tribal Rugs. Treasures Of The Black Tent. Woodbridge 1997, Tf.160