Arab Baluch?

[PaulSmith Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PaulSmith]

When I first saw this rug, I thought "Kurdish"--the border and the little shrub-flowers in the field, as well as the symmetrical knotting, seem to point in that direction.



But the colors scream "Baluch-group". The rich dark indigo and the luminous medium blue reminded me of "Arab Baluch" work. So I am at a loss to attribute this piece. Yes, the selvages are missing--the border is pretty worn, but the field is in great shape. I am curious what others might see in it.

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

Hi Paul,

Your question about this rug has been hanging out there for about eight months, as the thread slipped further down and disappeared into the back pages of the open threads list. Sorry.

The design is usually associated with Arab Baluch, as you suggested. Here is one with that field design and a very characteristic Arab Baluch border:



Same field design, with a different border:



And this variation:



I don't think any of these are symmetrically-knotted. That yours is, is somewhat surprising.

Joel

[PaulSmith Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PaulSmith]

A renewed closer examination seems to reveal that I was confused by the knotting, and no... it's not symmetrical. I think it's ASR, in fact. Your examples are stunning, Joel, especially that last one. I was editing because my photos weren't here, and in doing that I managed to delete my earlier post. Oh well.

[James Blanchard Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close James Blanchard]

Nice to see a thread about these "shrub" Baluch.

Here's one that I have, that has some considerable condition issues, but some of the Baluch aesthetics are still evident.

James

[PaulSmith Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PaulSmith]

James,

That one is beautiful. I don't find the wear to be an issue, but my collection would explain that. Great color, and I think some significant age.

Paul

[James Blanchard Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close James Blanchard]

Thanks, Paul.

Yes, despite the condition I think it shows well. The "electric" blue is an aesthetic feature that I find attractive in some Baluch rugs. This one has marvelous blues.

I think it might have some age, but that's notional, as usual.


I note that a few of the shrub Baluch rugs seem to have a similar rudimentary vine or "meander" border, in blue.

Cheers,

James

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

The "electric" blue is an aesthetic feature that I find attractive in some Baluch rugs.

Hi James,

I’m with you on that.

Most of the pieces I have with that blue are symmetrically-knotted, but a handful are AS, like these two bags:





Joel