Vintage Afghan Qala-i-Nau Kilim wide runner with striped design.
A long rectangular handwoven Qala-i-Nau Kilim wide runner rug with horizontal geometric stripes in red, orange, blue, brown, black, and cream, shown flat against a white background.
Angled image of Qala-i-Nau Kilim wide runner with striped design.
A rectangular vintage Afghan kilim area rug / wide runner with horizontal stripes and geometric patterns in orange, red, brown, black, and cream, shown flat against a white background.
A close-up of a handwoven Qala-i-Nau Kilim wide runner rug with stripes in rust red, navy blue, olive brown, orange, cream, and dark brown, featuring repeating geometric zigzag motifs.
Close-up of a vintage handwoven Qala-i-Nau kilim runner rug showing a striped pattern with red, orange, dark brown, navy blue, and beige geometric accents.
A close-up of a woven Kilim wide runner with horizontal bands and geometric chevron motifs in dark blue, cream, orange, red, and brown, with a dark edge binding visible on the right.
A close-up of a striped woven vintage Kilim runner rug corner showing horizontal bands in orange, dark brown, rust red, olive green, beige, and navy blue with fringed edges.
Close-up of a handwoven Afghan kilim runner rug showing its striped pattern in orange, navy blue, brown, and beige, with a fringed edge.

Vendor:The Oriental Rug Merchant Ltd

Qala-i-Nau Kilim wide runner

£650.00

Runner Size: 404 x 157cm

Handwoven with eye-catching bold horizontal stripes of colour, this vintage Afghan Qala-i-Nau Kilim wide runner will add a statement to wherever you lay it. 

This vintage Kilim wide runner rug features striking colours of terracotta-red, navy blue, black, brown, orange, and beige. The design is traditional and distinctive, it shows bands of pattern interspersed with bands of plain colour flat weave. 

Learn some more about this Qala-i-Nau Kilim wide runner

This handwoven wide Kilim runner was woven in north-west Afghanistan in the town of Qala-i-Nau, which is located between Maimana and Herat.

This wide Kilim runner is a vintage rug woven perhaps 30 to 40 years ago. The unusual size of 404x157cm or 13'3x5'2, implies that this was not a commercially (i.e. made for export) piece. 

The rug weaving in Qala-i-Nau is mostly carried out by Sunni-Muslim weavers of the Chahar Aimaq tribe. 

What this wide Afghan Kilim runner rug is made from

This vintage Afghan Kilim runner is made from just wool. 

On a Kilim rug, the colours and patterns contained within it are created from handwoven coloured weft threads. These are the threads are woven across the width of the loom, traversing the warp threads. 

The warps threads in this wide Kilim runner are also made from wool. These are the long yarns which are attached to the loom before the weaving started. You don't particularly notice the warp threads, except for the fact that they are also the fringes of the Kilim. Each warp travels the whole length of the runner and exits each end as the fringes.

Using this vintage Afghan Kilim large runner in your home

Especially suited for use in wide hallways and wide corridors because of it's shape, this vintage Kilim runner will add visual impact and a warming ambience to your floor.

Although Kilim rugs are relatively thin and lightweight weavings, they are in fact deceptively hard wearing and long-lasting. Made from just durable local Afghan wool this Kilim runner is a tightly woven piece. 

If you're planning on using this vintage Afghan Kilim runner on hard flooring or on fitted carpets, it would be a wise idea to think about placing a rug underlay beneath it. This will help prevent slippage or creeping by keeping it neatly in position. 

Key details:

  • Country of origin: Afghanistan
  • Size: 404×157cm / 13’3″x5’2″
  • Thickness: 6mm (this is the thickest part of the Kilim, on its long sides)
  • Warp: Wool
  • Weft: Wool
  • Age: It is in the region of 30-40 years old
  • Condition: There are a couple blemishes which can be seen in images 6 & 7, otherwise the condition is sound. 

 

In stock! Ships within 1-2 business days.

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

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Frequently asked questions about Runners

Oriental runners are renowned for their longevity and can often last for generations.

I’d like to buy it, is the runner shown the runner I’ll get?

Yes, all of our runners are handmade and the vast majority are one-of-a-kind. This is the exact runner you will receive. No substitutions.

I’m interested in this runner, but would like to see it before I decide – can I come and see it at your shop?

Of course! All of the runners displayed and shown as in stock on our website are available to view and buy in-store.

How quickly will I receive my runner and how much does delivery cost?

We aim to dispatch our Runners 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 & runners.

I’m not located in the UK, will you send it to destinations outside of the UK?

Please contact us, referencing which runner you would like to buy and your delivery address to find out shipping costs.

How long will my runner last?

Hand-knotted Runners and Handwoven Runners are extremely long-lasting items. If properly looked after Oriental Rugs and runners can outlive their owner and maybe even last for generations. In many cases rugs improve with age.

Will the colours of my runner fade?

Handmade Oriental rugs and runners will soften in colour over time. Of course, like any textile, if the runner 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 Runner

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.