Old Belouch rug with tall rectangle layout, rust and blue geometric pattern
Old Belouch rug, rust and blue medallion field with decorative border stripes
Old Belouch rug with orange center medallion and blue border, diamond motifs
Old Belouch rug with rust central panel, blue framing lines, and border medallions
Old Belouch rug close-up of orange and blue geometric motifs with cream border
Old Belouch rug close-up, blue diamonds and rust tones with cream edge trim
Old Belouch rug corner close-up, orange medallion details and blue corner accents
Old Belouch rug with cream inner border, blue and rust pattern panels at corner
Old Belouch rug label tag and woven edge, patterned fabric in rust and blue

Vendor:The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd

Old Belouch rug

£375.00

Rug Size: 185 x 99cm

Underlay to match the size of this rug

Foxi Rug Underlay 90cm width roll

Size: D - 2 metres

£30.00

This is an interesting old Belouch rug handwoven with a captivating design showing a highly stylised tree of life pattern. 

The colours of this charming old Afghan rug are delightful, with a warming cinnamon-brown main background colour as well as a main border in red and blue and minor borders in orange and cream. 

Find out some more about this Old Belouch rug

This old Afghan Belouch rug was handmade in north-west Afghanistan near to Herat. It is in the region of 30-40 years old, and like all of our old rugs, it has been expertly washed so that it is ready for use in your home. 

This Belouch rug is particularly special because of it's interesting stylised version of the tree of life design. The totemic style of this design makes this tribal rug especially appealing. 

What this tree of life Belouch rug is made from

Like many types of tribal / nomadic rug, this Afghan rug is made entirely from wool. This is often the case with Belouch rugs from Afghanistan. 

All of the interesting design features, and cosy colours shown in this rug are made from the woollen pile. The warp threads are also made from wool. Woven on a flat loom, the woollen warp yarns were the first threads attached to the loom by the weaver before the rug making began. We know that the warps are wool because they poke out of each end of the rug: as the warps are also the rug's fringes. 

How this old rug was woven

This old Afghan rug was made by traditional rug making methods. It would have been made by one weaver, and woven on a flat loom. The woollen pile of this rug was hand-knotted. 

Hand-knotting is a way of making rugs that is little changed over hundreds of years. Each tuft of pile is created from a knot tied onto pairs of warp threads. In a rug like this, there will be hundreds of thousands of knots contained within it. The process involves the weaver knotting in rows across the width of the loom, followed by weaving in threads called wefts parallel to the line of knots. The wefts are then compacted firmly against the row of knots. This is repeated again and again, forming not only a beautiful rug but a durable well made on too. It is mind-bending to think as to how long it would have taken the weaver to make a masterpiece such as this. 

The amazing thing about a tribal rug like this is that it would not have been woven for export. It would most likely have been made for the weaver's own use. You can't get more authentic than that.

Key details:

  • Country of origin: Afghanistan
  • Size: 185×99cm / 6’1″x3’3″ 
  • Thickness: 6mm
  • Pile: Wool, hand-knotted
  • Warp: Wool
  • Age: In the region of 30-40 years old
  • Condition: It’s in good order with short pile and a fine weave. It has been washed and is ready for use.

 

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.