Chakhansur Main Carpet

Mid 19th century, 235 x 199 cm, South West Afghanistan, Sistan region

This unusually large carpet in deep glowing colours was woven for the khan of a Baluchi tribal group living close to the town of Chakhansur in the Sistan border region. Eight huge two-dimensional palmettes drawn in three different styles are arranged in rows of two in the midnight blue field, which is surrounded by a wide three-band border. The design of the carpet employs motifs of the Timuri and Mushwani tribes, placing them into a new compositional context. It is thanks to Thomas Cole that Chakhansur weavings – summarily attributed to the Timuri in the past – can now be identified. – Good condition, original selvedges and striped kilim ends.

COLE, THOMAS, Raising the Bar. In: HALI 128, London 2003, Abb. S.83 *** BOUCHER, JEFF W., Baluchi Woven Treasures. Alexandria, VA 1989, Tf.59 *** WISDOM, GARY A., Baluch Tribal Weavings. The Wisdom Collection. Tubac, Arizona 2008, Tf.19

SORGATO, DAVID, Baluch from the David Sorgato collection. Mailand 2007, Nr.30