{"product_id":"old-belouch-rug","title":"Old Belouch rug","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an interesting old Belouch rug handwoven with a captivating design showing a highly stylised tree of life pattern. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFind out some more about this Old Belouch rug\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat this tree of life Belouch rug is made from\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike many types of tribal \/ nomadic rug, this Afghan rug is made entirely from wool. This is often the case with Belouch rugs from Afghanistan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow this old rug was woven\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand-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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\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: 185×99cm \/ 6’1″x3’3″ \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThickness: 6mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePile: Wool, hand-knotted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarp: Wool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAge: In the region of 30-40 years old\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: It’s in good order with short pile and a fine weave. It has been washed and is ready for use.\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":58081532313931,"sku":"TORM-1180-OLD BELOUCH RUG-185 X 99CM","price":375.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1070\/3113\/4539\/files\/Belouch-old-1.85x0.99m-MAIN.jpg?v=1786282928","url":"https:\/\/theorientalrugmerchant.co.uk\/products\/old-belouch-rug","provider":"The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}