{"product_id":"antique-belouch-prayer-rug","title":"Antique Belouch prayer rug","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrimming with history, this antique Belouch prayer rug is the sort of rug that you can pop down and it will look like it has always been there. This antique rug is ideally suited for use in a period property, and will probably appeal to someone with a home packed with antiquities and curiosities. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFind out some more about this Antique Belouch prayer rug\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rug dates from the early Twentieth century. It hails from near to Herat in north west Afghanistan. Historically, the Belouch of Afghanistan were prolific makers of Prayer rugs. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a glorious prayer rug consisting of a superbly balanced composition of ancient symbols and mature colours. The colours are traditional and exquisite. It features a camel coloured field colour along with rust-red, midnight blue\/black, brown and small touches of white. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design is typical of Belouch prayer rugs in that it is asymmetrical with a rectangular mihrab. The mihrab is flanked on each side by a hand panel (each is adorned with a hand motif). Some eagle-eyed viewers might spot that one hand has five fingers and a thumb! The field is decorated with a central totemic pole with hooks protruding from each side and this is flanked by a column of boteh (paisley-like) motifs - an ancient emblem found across Afghanistan and Persia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe condition of this antique Belouch rug\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis prayer rug has low pile all over it consistent with its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt doesn't have any holes, but the bottom section of the rug has considerably lower\/thinner pile than the remainder (see images 8, 9 \u0026amp; 10). Looking at it closely, the dark wool in this area has corroded with age. The wool in this area was perhaps from an earlier dye lot (dyed before the wool in the majority of the rug), hence the reason it has aged differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTechnically this is known as \"abrash\". Abrash is the name for when the colour changes because the wool used came from a different dye lot. Sometimes it can occur from different dye concoctions or from a different wool batch that was spun differently. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUsing this antique Afghan rug in your home\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all of our old and antique rugs, this Belouch rug has been expertly washed to make it ready for use or display in your home. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a rug a lightweight rug which is over 100 years old. It is not suitable for areas of high foot traffic, and wherever you decide to position it, it should be used in conjunction with a rug underlay beneath it. This will help preserve this rug by keeping it snug to the floor and will also prevent slippage.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey details: \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCountry of origin: Afghanistan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 189×99cm \/ 6’3″x3’3″ \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePile: Wool, hand-knotted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarp: Wool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAge: Circa 1900\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Worn; see above notes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58081529266507,"sku":"TORM-1361-ANTIQUE BELOUCH PRAYER RUG-189 X 99CM","price":595.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1070\/3113\/4539\/files\/Ant.Prayer-rug-1.89x0.99m_MAIN.jpg?v=1786282865","url":"https:\/\/theorientalrugmerchant.co.uk\/products\/antique-belouch-prayer-rug","provider":"The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}