Qala-i-Nau kilim rug with orange, blue, and beige geometric border stripes
Qala-i-Nau kilim rug with dark blue and orange diagonal geometric pattern
Qala-i-Nau kilim rug with multicolor horizontal stripes and small cross motifs
Close-up Qala-i-Nau kilim rug texture with orange, blue, and brown geometric bands
Qala-i-Nau kilim rug close-up with brown field, orange stripes, blue motifs, fringed edge
Qala-i-Nau kilim rug close-up showing woven texture and fringe in orange and blue

Vendor:The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd

Vintage Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug

£350.00

Rug Size: 221 x 123cm

Underlay to match the size of this rug

Anti-Slip Rug Underlay for Hard Floors | Superlux

Size: E - 2.5 metres

£34.37

This is a good quality Afghan vintage Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug with an interesting weave. 

The colours of this vintage Afghan Kilim are really appealing and incredible practical. It features a combination of earthy browns, charcoals, orange, navy blue and cream. 

The design of this Kilim rug is distinctive with horizontal bands of patterns interspersed by bands of plain weave. 

Where is this Vintage Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug from?

This Qala-i-Nau Kilim rug is from Afghanistan. Qala-i-Nau is a town located in north west Afghanistan, between Herat and Maimana. 

Qala-i-Nau rugs were woven by Sunni Muslims from the Chahar Aimaq tribe and their rugs are fine and ornately patterned, usually characterised by narrow bands of colour and design. 

How was this Afghan Kilim rug made?

This Kilim rug was handwoven entirely from Karaqul wool. This means that the warps are made from wool, and so are the wefts. Because this rug is a Kilim it is flat woven, therefore it does not have any pile. 

Typically Qala-i-Nau rugs are woven on narrow flat ground looms. The woollen warps are the first yarns to be secured to the loom. These threads run the whole length of the rug, and is what the weft threads are woven onto. It is the wefts which make the colours and patterns of a Kilim rug.

This rug is really interesting because when you look closely at it, you can see numerous different weaving techniques. 

The plain bands of colour are created by weft-faced or tapestry weave, the weaver will beat the weft threads closely together so that the underlying warps are invisible. 

We can also see "slit weave" techniques in this rug too. When we look at image 4, we can see that where the orange and navy blue colours meet there is a small gap or slit. So we can tell that the navy colour block is started from a separate warp thread. This method creates excellent, clear definition to the pattern.

Also evident in this Kilim rug is "weft-faced" patterning. Qala-i-Nau rugs are especially known for this intricate technique. With this method, the wefts are only visible when needed for a key part of forming the pattern; when not forming the pattern these wefts threads remain on the underside of the rug. 

Where can I use this handmade Afghan rug?

This 7x4 Afghan rug is a useful size that can be placed almost anywhere in your home. Don't be fooled into thinking that because it is a old/vintage rug that it is not hard wearing. On the contrary, it is tightly woven and made from durable Karaqul sheep wool so this rug will provide you with many years (probably decades) of pleasure. 

You might find it a good idea to pop an anti-slip rug underlay beneath it. A rug underlay will help prevent any slips or trips by keeping the Kilim firmly anchored in position. 

Key details: 

  • Country of origin: Afghanistan
  • Size: 221x123cm / 7'3"x4'1"
  • Thickness: 4mm
  • Warp: Wool
  • Weft: Wool
  • Age: Approx. 30-40 years old

 

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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.