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Vendor:The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd

Handmade blue Afghan Shirvan design rug

£1,639.00

Rug Size: 244 x 179cm

This handmade blue Afghan Shirvan design rug measuring 244x179cm has a blue field with light grey border with detail touches of rust, pink and brown. It has a geometric medallion design which is reminiscent of some Shirvan Caucasian Rugs.

What is a Shirvan rug?

Shirvan is a famous type of Caucasian rug, known for their intricate weaving, eye-catching colours and appealing geometric patterns. The name Shirvan comes from the name of an old Persian Khanate and does not refer to a tribe or town. 

What is this handmade Afghan rug made from?

This blue Afghan rug is made entirely from wool just like the original Shirvan rugs made were made 100 years and more ago. 

Afghan wool is perfectly suited to making hand-knotted rugs because of its exceptional quality and remarkable durability. In its natural state, the wool has a beautifully pure white colour and a high lanolin content, enabling it to absorb natural dyes exceptionally well.

The wool used is hand-spun, producing a tighter twist that strengthens the fibres and results in a more hard-wearing textile. This tightly twisted yarn also introduces delicate variations in colour in the dyed wool due to how to absorbs the dye, creating nuanced palettes in the finished rug.

In keeping with traditions, the warps and wefts are also made of wool. 

How was this blue Shirvan rug made?

This Afghan rug was handmade on a loom. The pile was formed by weavers knotting tufts of coloured wool onto pairs of warp threads, knotting row-by-row gradually building the pattern. This process is called hand-knotting. 

On a 240x170cm carpet such as this, two weavers will work on knotting the pile, working side-by-side. It is a time consuming process and this is the method by which high quality Oriental rugs are made.

We are sometimes asked how long it takes to make a rug. Expert rug weavers can tie around 10,000 knots a day. This hand-knotted Afghan rug has in the region of 110 per square inch. This rug would therefore have taken something like 37 days for two weavers to make!

Where can I use this hand-knotted Afghan rug?

The size of this Shirvan rug works well in sitting rooms with a three seater sofa along the long edge of the rug and a two seater sofa along the shorter fringed end. The beauty of Oriental rugs is that they are incredibly versatile and can be used in all sorts of rooms. So this blue rug could also work well for example in a kitchen, or hallway, or even in a bedroom. 

Key details:

  • Country of origin: Afghanistan
  • Dimensions: 244x179cm / 8’0”x5’11”
  • Thickness: 7mm
  • Pile: Wool
  • Warp: Wool
  • Age: New

 

In stock! Ships within 1-2 business days.

Free shipping in the UK

Need advice? We can advise on the best purchase for your requirements.

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.