A rug from my late father-Is this a Balouch?

[Marvin Amstey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Marvin Amstey]

Thank you.

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Here is a rug I just purchased which seems similar in design but not in origin to the OP’s rug. The knots are symmetrical and the weft is of red/brown wool. It has similar aina guls. My first impression is that my rug is a cartoon copy of a Tekke Chuval. Any thoughts on origin?

thanks for your help,
Frank

[Frank Martin Diehr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Martin Diehr]

Hi there

From what I can see I am pretty sure both rugs shown are fairly typical Kordi rugs, woven by Kurdish tribes in Khorasan, and I would date them to around 1940.

Kind regards

Frank

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks Frank, after some research on Kordi rugs I see what you mean. My only question would be why you think these two are from the same period? Their construction and colors appear to be from different times. You thoughts?

thanks
Also Frank

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

I am embarrassed to say that I just now realized that “Kordi" is German for Kurdish.

[Joel Greifinger Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Joel Greifinger]

Hi Frank P.,

While 'Kordi' does mean Kurdish, in the context of rugs it's also used more specifically to designate the weavings done by the Kurds of Khorasan, as Frank D. mentioned. Their production is sometimes also referred to as 'Quchan Kurdish'.

Joel

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks for the clarification Joel. Any thoughts on age?

Frank

[Joel Greifinger Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Joel Greifinger]

Hi Frank P.,

There is an extremely useful, well-researched book on Kurdish weaving from Khorasan, Kordi by Wilfried Stanzer. I'd speculate that your piece was woven some time in the middle third of the 20th century. Kordi weavers have maintained their designs and practices longer than most other groups in the region.

Joel

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks Joel, coincidentally, I ordered the Kordi book yesterday. Can’t wait to see it. Do you think this other rug I have is of similar origin?

[Frank Martin Diehr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Martin Diehr]

Hello Frank

could you add a few photos of that third rug of yours? One of the entire rug, its dimensions, and a closer looks of its back?

Thanks

Frank

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Will do, thanks

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Frank, these should give you a better idea of the rug.

thanks for looking,
Frank

[Frank Martin Diehr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Martin Diehr]

Hello Frank

Thanks for that! The colours look all good on my screen. Also, the red wefts and mixed warps lead me to believe (but I don't know much about them, despite owning one or two) that this is also Kordi (which, as Joel pointed out, is used in rugdom to signify the Kurdish tribal rugs coming out of (Irak) correction: Khorasan). I would guess it is a generation or so older than the previous two, i.e. ca 1910-1920. The rows of "beetles" design is also sometmes found on Baluch and Khamseh rugs, possibly also Afshar-

Others might have a more profpound assessment of this rug.

Kind regards

Frank

[Frank Petruziello Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Petruziello]

Thanks Frank, I appreciate your assessment. You have confirmed what I have found in the literature. The dealer I bought it from thought 1920’s as you do. Also, I’m glad to know the figures are called beetles.

thanks again, Frank

[Frank Martin Diehr Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Frank Martin Diehr]

I just called them "beetles" because I have read that elsewhere, they might just as well depict long camel trains or floral elements, who knows ...