Handwoven Afghan kilim rug with red geometric medallion pattern and border
Handwoven Afghan kilim rug wider view with red geometric medallions and dark border
Handwoven Afghan kilim rug diagonally shown, red medallions with black edging
Handwoven Afghan kilim rug flat view with red and orange geometric medallion motifs
Close-up of handwoven kilim rug showing red, blue, and tan geometric motifs
Close-up of kilim rug texture with orange-red and blue geometric shapes
Close-up of kilim rug border with repeating diamond and zigzag motifs
Kilim rug edge with fringe trim and geometric pattern in red, tan, and black
Kilim rug weave close-up with dark navy, red, and orange geometric blocks

Vendor:The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd

Authentic old handwoven Afghan Kilim

£1,395.00

Rug Size: 413 x 289cm

A rare find - this authentic old handwoven Afghan Kilim rug has a spectacular large scale design and beautiful, mature colours. It's an impressive large sized rug, measuring 413x289cm which equates to roughly 13'7x9'6. 

This is a real character rug and would look great in a period property. It's enviable size could suit use in a living room, dining room, or perhaps under a kitchen table.

The colours and design of this authentic old handwoven Afghan Kilim

This large old Afghan Kilim has wonderful colours. These colours include a mahogany shade as the main colour. This has lots of subtle variations of shade, implying the use of natural dyes. It also contains supporting detail colours of pink, navy blue, orange and olive.

The design shows a traditional Afghan theme of a repeating pattern of gul (flower) motifs. This type of design is more commonly associated with hand-knotted pile weavings. The field of this large kilim has 8 giant scale guls on a fairly open ground with 15 smaller motifs. This is enclosed by a sympathetic border arrangement.

Where this old Afghan Kilim is from:

This 13'7x9'6 Afghan Kilim rug was handwoven in northern Afghanistan. It was most likely woven by Aimaq weavers. 

The Aimaq is a group of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes that inhabit a vast region towards the north-west and west-central of Afghanistan.

We like these types of interesting old tribal rugs because they were woven for domestic purposes rather than being made for export.

How was it made?

This large Kilim rug was handmade/handwoven. A Kilim is a flat woven rug, so it does not have a piled surface. Thus Kilims are woven not knotted. 

Like most Afghan Kilim rugs, this piece is made entirely from wool. Wool warps and wefts. It is the wefts that make the colour and design on a Kilim rug. 

There are various methods by which Kilims are woven. This old Kilim rug is mostly made by the weavers interlocking/dovetailing the colours of the wefts onto the same warp thread when two colour blocks meet. This rug also contains a bit of "slit weaving", this is when the colours meet but on adjacent warps - and this leaves a very small gap in the weave.

We love the interlocking/dovetail weave because it makes for a really well made Kilim. 

How old is this rug?

We estimate this Kilim to be in excess of 50 years old. It is in good clean condition, with subtle signs of age and use.

Despite it's age, this is still a very usable rug. It is tightly woven and made from just hard-wearing wool, so it will provide you with many years of pleasure. 

Pro tip...

Although this is a large size rug, it is nevertheless, thin because it is a flat weave. You can keep it looking great and securely in place with a good quality anti-slip rug underlay beneath it.  

Key details:

  • Country of origin: Afghanistan
  • Size: 413×289cm / 13’7″x9’6″ 
  • Thickness: 3mm
  • Warp: Wool
  • Weft: Wool
  • Age: Dating from 1960s/70s

In stock! Ships within 1-2 business days.

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14 day return policy
Frequently asked questions about Afghan rugs

Oriental rugs are renowned for their longevity and can often last for generations. 

I’d like to buy it, is the rug shown the rug I’ll get? 

Yes, all of our rugs are handmade and the vast majority are one-of-a-kind. This is the exact rug you will receive. No substitutions.

I’m interested in this rug, but would like to see it before I decide – can I come and see it at your shop? 

Of course! All of the rugs displayed and shown as in stock on our website are available to view and buy in-store.

How quickly will I receive my rug and how much does delivery cost? 

We aim to dispatch our Rugs as quickly as possible. Deliveries in the UK are generally achieved in 2-3 working days. Within the UK there is no carriage charge for rugs.

I’m not located in the UK, will you send it to destinations outside of the UK?

Please contact us, referencing which rug you would like to buy and your delivery address to find out shipping costs.

How long will my rug last? 

Hand-knotted Rugs and Handwoven Rugs are extremely long-lasting items. If properly looked after Oriental Rugs can outlive their owner and maybe even last for generations. In many cases rugs improve with age.

Will the colours of my rug fade? 

Handmade Oriental rugs will soften in colour over time. Of course, like any textile, if the rug is used in an area of strong sunlight, such as in a Conservatory for instance, the fading process will be more rapid. During days of strong sunshine, it is good practice to draw the curtains or blinds to keep your Oriental rug looking at its best.

Will the colours transfer onto the flooring underneath? 

This is a tricky one to answer! If only we had a crystal ball! There is a risk. Our rugs are all handmade and made with artisan dyes. All of our rugs are thoroughly washed prior to export and any excess dye should come out in the washing process. However, on the odd occasion, the dye can still sometimes transfer. This phenomenon is increased by humidity and temperature, and is regrettably irreversible. If you are concerned about this possibility, perhaps consider using an Underlay to put a barrier between the rug and the flooring/fitted carpet underneath.

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How do I care for my Afghan Rug

They are easy to care for, but here’s a few helpful pointers to keep your new Afghan rug looking great: 

Vacuum

Hoover it regularly – perhaps once a week. This is good practice as tiny dirt particles can cause premature wear. Vacuum it with just the nozzle suction, as rotating brushes can be abrasive. Try to keep the vacuum cleaner away from the fringes as this is probably the weakest point on an Oriental rug; fringes and vacuum cleaners don’t mix!

Rotate 

It is a good idea to rotate your Afghan rug on occasion. This will help prevent areas of concentrated wear. Foot shuffling when watching the TV is a prime culprit! Rotating your rug will also help to even-out any incremental changes in colour from exposure to sunlight.

Blot

Any spills should be blotted immediately: blot with kitchen towel or clean un-dyed absorbent cloth; avoid rubbing or scrubbing which can spread the spill or push the spill deeper into the rug.

Use a Rug Underlay

A good rug underlay will keep the rug in place, thereby preventing uneven wear and will help the rug keep from going out of shape.

Professional Cleaning

This is something that is required infrequently, perhaps every 3-5 years depending on use. Please contact us if you would like to have your rug cleaned as we offer a Rug Cleaning Service.